Behind only water, concrete is the second most widely used substance in the world. The 2.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide the cement industry produces every year leaves it responsible for 9% of the world’s CO2 pollution. If the cement industry were a country, it would be the third largest CO2 producer with only the USA and China releasing more.
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Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are using an enzyme found in red blood cells to create self-healing concrete that is four times more durable than traditional concrete, extending the life of concrete-based structures and eliminating the need for expensive repairs or replacements.
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It looks a little like magic: When a crack forms in this new concrete, the material begins to fill in the gap itself. The process uses an enzyme found in red blood cells to make one of the most ubiquitous materials on the planet much more durable—and help shrink the concrete industry’s giant carbon footprint.
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