Three Self-Healing Materials That Could Change the Future of Construction<br />Eng. Nourhan Thamer Assi<br /><br />As cities expand and infrastructure ages, the construction industry faces a critical challenge: the inevitable deterioration of materials over time. Unfortunately, buildings don’t last forever. Until recently, the only way to extend the life of structures was through ongoing maintenance—often costly, time-consuming, and disruptive, especially for roads and bridges. In some cases, complete replacement was the only option, which is far from sustainable given the carbon footprint of materials like concrete.<br /><br />However, the 21st century is ushering in a new era of smart materials—self-healing materials that promise to revolutionize how we build and maintain our infrastructure. Among the most promising innovations are three self-healing materials that could dramatically extend the lifespan of structures:<br /><br />1. Self-Healing Asphalt – Erik Schlangen<br />Dutch professor Erik Schlangen has developed a type of asphalt embedded with tiny steel fibers that allow it to "heal" when exposed to induction heating. When cracks form in the asphalt, an induction machine is used to heat the metal fibers, melting the surrounding bitumen and sealing the cracks. This process can be repeated multiple times, significantly extending the lifespan of roads without the need for costly replacements.<br /><br />2. Bacterial Concrete – TU Delft<br />At Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, researchers have engineered a form of concrete that contains dormant bacterial spores. When cracks form and moisture enters the concrete, the bacteria become active and produce calcium carbonate—a natural form of limestone—which fills and seals the cracks. This "living" concrete greatly reduces maintenance needs and increases the durability of structures, especially in harsh environments.<br /><br />3. Self-Healing Metals – MIT<br />Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently discovered that certain metals may possess the ability to repair microscopic cracks on their own. While this research is still in its early stages, it opens up exciting possibilities for future applications in structural metals, such as those used in bridges and buildings, potentially preventing small cracks from evolving into major failures.<br /><br />Toward a More Sustainable Future<br />These three innovations represent a significant leap forward in sustainable construction. By enabling materials to repair themselves, we can reduce maintenance costs, extend the lifespan of buildings and infrastructure, and minimize environmental impact. In the near future, cities may not only be smarter—but also capable of healing themselves.<br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University – The No. 1 Private University in Iraq