A new form of concrete created by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a fascinating superpower that could potentially save lives.
The concrete can melt away ice and snow on its own, making roadways much safer. What's its secret? Steel shavings and carbon particles, which make up about 20 percent of the concrete mixture, can conduct electricity to melt away dangerous ice, Dr. Chris Tuan, a professor of civil engineering at the university who designed the material, told The Huffington Post on Monday.
"De-icing concrete is intended for icy bridges, street intersections, interstate exit ramps, and where accidents are prone to take place," Tuan said.
The de-icing concrete mixture is not only safe for commuters and pedestrians, but also could potentially help the environment, Tuan said, by reducing the amount of salt and chemicals used to combat ice on the roads.
Chris Tuan and Lim Nguyen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln A four-hour time-lapse video shows the conductive concrete melting fresh snow from its surface during a winter storm in Omaha, Nebraska, in December 2015.
The concrete can work on roads by connecting de-icing concrete slabs to a power source, since the material itself is electrically conductive.
"When connected to a power source, the electrical resistance in the concrete will generate heat and propagate to the concrete surface to melt the snow and ice," Tuan explained, adding that the concrete costs about $300 per cubic yard compared to $120 per cubic yard of regular concrete.
The concrete has already been tested on a 150-foot bridge near Lincoln, Nebraska. The bridge was inlaid with 52 slabs of de-icing concrete in 2002, and has successfully melted snow and ice on its own ever since, according to the researchers.
Now, the researchers plan to demonstrate the de-icing concrete technology to the Federal Aviation Administration in hopes that the concrete might be integrated into the tarmac of a major U.S. airport.
"To my surprise, they don't want to use it for the runways," Tuan said in a statement. "What they need is the tarmac around the gated areas cleared, because they have so many carts to unload -- luggage service, food service, trash service, fuel service -- that all need to get into those areas ... They said that if we can heat that kind of tarmac, then there would be (far fewer) weather-related delays."
He added: "We're very optimistic."
Also on HuffPost:
10 of the Snowiest Places in the World
Paradise Ranger Station,
Mt. Rainier, Washington
Oh, the irony. Paradise sees 56 feet of snow per year. iStockPhoto
Paradise Ranger Station,
Mt. Rainier, Washington
Oh, the irony. Paradise sees 56 feet of snow per year. iStockPhoto
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Alyeska, Alaska
Alyeska typically gets 53 feet of snow per year but saw an insane 73 feet just two winters ago. Mark Newman/Getty
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Kirkwood Mountain, California
The folks at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, just 35 miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe, report an average snowfall of 50 feet. Not too shabby considering how many competitors are forced to resort to faux snow. Courtesy Kirkwood
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Niseko, Japan
Niseko means "a cliff jutting over a riverbank deep in the mountains." Sounds scary, right? The recipient of weather patterns from Siberia, Niseko gets about 50 feet of snow each year (Mount Yōtei is pictured). iStockPhoto
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Valdez, Alaska
Located on the northeast tip of the Prince William Sound, Valdez boasts the most snowfall of any community at sea level in North America. Just how much do you need to qualify for that superlative? Exactly 326 inches -- just more than 27 feet -- per year. Courtesy Valdez
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Mt. Washington, New Hampshire
Mount Washington, in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest, is the tallest peak in the Northeastern U.S. Known for high wind gusts, the mountain gets hit with roughly 21 feet of snow per year and houses the Mount Washington Observatory, a scientific institution that calls itself the "Home of the World's Worst Weather." Surprisingly, in warmer seasons, a weekend here makes for a great romantic getaway. Jose Azel/Getty
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Blue Canyon, California
Blue Canyon sits at the edge of Tahoe National Forest, about an hour away from Lake Tahoe itself. Despite being a bit off the beaten track, Mother Nature seems to have no problem finding it: Blue Canyon gets pounded with 20 feet of snow per year, though as much as 65 feet of snow in a year is not unheard of. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce
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Yakutat, Alaska
Although it's the largest city in the U.S. by area, gorgeous Yakutat is home to only about 4,000 people. Situated in the lowlands along the Gulf of Alaska, it sees more than 16 feet of snow a year (the Hubbard Glacier is pictured here). iStockPhoto
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Marquette, Michigan
Sitting along Lake Superior (and encompassing several small islands), Marquette gets almost 12 feet of snow per year, making it the fifth snowiest large city in the U.S. Aaron Peterson; aaronpeterson.net
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Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Sault Ste. Marie, is about a 3.5-hour drive from Marquette. It gets a little less of the white stuff, with almost 10 feet of snow per year. James L. Amos/Corbis
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