Self-sensing and energy-generating concrete was created by engineers

*The metamaterial concrete under strain in an experiment; Photo Courtesy of Barri, et. al.*

A new generation of concrete that is self-sensing and capable of generating electricity was recently presented by a team of engineers in a journal paper.

Published in the Advanced Materials journal, the study describes the creation of a concrete that could be used in the development of smart civil infrastructure systems, such as roads, pavements and buildings.

The use of metamaterials, artificially engineered materials that exhibit properties not found in nature, allows for the design of structures that are mechanically tunable, with the brittleness, flexibility and shapeability of the concrete customised to suit specific applications.

Furthermore, the material can generate electricity. While the electricity generated cannot be used to power the grid, it can be used to monitor damage in structures or power roadside sensors. The engineers are working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to develop this metamaterial concrete for use on state roads.

The researchers believe that this development is just the beginning of incorporating metamaterials into smart civil infrastructure, with the aim of having all infrastructure made of such materials in the future.

Sources: tomorrowsworldtoday.com, onlinelibrary.wiley.com, interestingengineering.com