University researchers have created self-healing potholes using AI technology.
A groundbreaking innovation in road maintenance is on the horizon, as a team of researchers from Swansea University, King's College London, and Chilean scientists collaborate to create a self-healing asphalt. This development aims to address the persistent issue of high maintenance costs for Britain's roads and reduce dependence on petroleum and natural resources.
The self-healing asphalt has the remarkable ability to mend its own cracks without the need for teams login or human intervention. This cutting-edge innovation could potentially eliminate the need for filling potholes, significantly reducing costs and improving road safety.
At the heart of this project is Dr Francisco Martin-Martinez, an expert in computational chemistry at King's College London. His goal is to mimic the healing properties observed in nature, with the self-healing asphalt containing tiny, porous materials produced by plants called spores. These spores are filled with recycled oils, which are released when the asphalt begins to crack, helping to reverse the process.
To simulate the behaviour of the bitumen in the asphalt, the research team is collaborating with Google Cloud. They have also developed a new data-driven model to accelerate atomistic simulations in bitumen oxidation and crack formation.
The use of sustainable materials, such as biomass waste, in the new asphalt is another key aspect of this project. Biomass waste is locally available and cheap, making it an affordable resource for producing infrastructure materials. This not only reduces dependence on petroleum but also benefits areas with limited access to petroleum-based asphalt.
In laboratory experiments, the self-healing asphalt material has shown impressive results, completely healing a microcrack on its surface in less than an hour.
The potential impact of this innovation extends beyond cost savings and environmental benefits. The UK government currently spends an estimated £143m per year on pothole and road maintenance, a figure that a recent PAC report states is underestimated. By reducing the need for regular maintenance, self-healing asphalt could significantly lighten this financial burden.
The team's work is set to be recognised at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards, which will take place on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. These awards celebrate achievements and innovations in road maintenance, providing a platform to showcase the team's remarkable work.
As the research continues, the team is working towards creating asphalt that heals itself, similar to the natural maintenance process observed in trees and animals. This could mark a significant milestone in the field of infrastructure development, paving the way for a more sustainable and cost-effective future for road maintenance in Britain and beyond.
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