Motorists might be relieved to hear there could soon be an end to potholes once and for all.
Let's be honest, we all know one too many roads that could use a bit of TLC.
Fortunately, researchers at Swansea University and King's College London are working on a breakthrough material that will allow the potholes to 'self-heal.'
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The teams have been working with scientists in Chile to develop a new type of 'self-healing asphalt' which can mend its own cracks.
Potholes start as tiny cracks in the road that are usually caused by the weight of traffic.
Over time, water can seep into these cracks and when it freezes and thaws, it expands and weakens the asphalt.
The bitumen - the sticky black substance that holds asphalt together - becomes brittle and prone to cracking from oxidation.
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Scientists have found a way to reverse this cracking using tiny spores filled with recycled oils which could eventually create more sustainable roads.
Dr. Jose Norambuena-Contreras, a senior lecturer at Swansea University's department of civil engineering explained that it was a 'complex process'.
"The basic idea is in order to stimulate the materials to close the crack autonomously, without human intervention," he said.
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To make the self-healing bitumen, the team mixed in tiny porous plant spores soaked in recycled oils.
When passing traffic presses the asphalt, it squeezes the spores and releases their oils into any nearby cracks. The oil then softens the bitumen, allowing it to flow and seal the cracks.
Lab tests have shown that small, microcracks can completely heal in under an hour. "Potentially, it's necessary to increase the budget when you prepare the first new material on the roads, but you can recover your investment when you extend the surface life for future," Dr. Norambuena-Contreras added.
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"It is like a body, right? If you can identify any problem in your body, you can stop the problem in the earlier stage, you can stop the problem. Here, it's exactly the same concept."
Potholes have been a growing issue in the UK. Between 2023 and 2024, the RAC reported a 9% increase in vehicle breakdowns caused by pothole damage. And, according to the AA, a record spending of £579m was used on repairing cars that were damaged by potholes, which was up from £474 million in 2023.
Although the UK government has pledged £500 million for pothole repairs, these revolutionary self-healing roads could change the future of road maintenance.