Futuristic concrete can melt snow! Shovels and salt — things of the past?
- 8 years ago
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — Chris Tuan, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering professor, has created a prototype concrete concoction that can conduct electricity and has the potential to make roads safer in a big way — by melting away falling snow.
According to a University of Nebraska press release, conductive concrete is 80 percent typical concrete mixture, while steel shavings and carbon particles make up the remaining 20 percent. When the concrete is connected to a power source, the special mixture conducts electricity and generates heat as a byproduct.
Tests show that the heat generated is strong enough to melt snow and ice.
The energy required to heat up one square foot of concrete is just 22 percent of what's needed to light a typical incandescent light bulb. Tuan told National Geographic that it doesn't take much heat for the concrete to melt ice and snow.
While normal concrete is just $120 per cubic yard, the price tag for conductive concrete is considerably greater at $300 per cubic yard, reports the Christian Science Monitor. However, Tuan says that the high high costs can offset greater maintenance and de-icing costs down the line.
Tuan is currently testing the prototype mixture with the Federal Aviation Administration through March. If the tests are successful, the concrete will be tested at a major airport in the United States.
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According to a University of Nebraska press release, conductive concrete is 80 percent typical concrete mixture, while steel shavings and carbon particles make up the remaining 20 percent. When the concrete is connected to a power source, the special mixture conducts electricity and generates heat as a byproduct.
Tests show that the heat generated is strong enough to melt snow and ice.
The energy required to heat up one square foot of concrete is just 22 percent of what's needed to light a typical incandescent light bulb. Tuan told National Geographic that it doesn't take much heat for the concrete to melt ice and snow.
While normal concrete is just $120 per cubic yard, the price tag for conductive concrete is considerably greater at $300 per cubic yard, reports the Christian Science Monitor. However, Tuan says that the high high costs can offset greater maintenance and de-icing costs down the line.
Tuan is currently testing the prototype mixture with the Federal Aviation Administration through March. If the tests are successful, the concrete will be tested at a major airport in the United States.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
Stay connected with us here:
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Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
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