AI-Powered Self-Healing Asphalt: A Sustainable Solution to UK's Pothole Crisis

Researchers develop self-healing asphalt that repairs cracks, stops potholes from forming

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Something to look forward to: Researchers have developed a new type of asphalt capable of repairing its own cracks over time. This material, inspired by the regenerative abilities of trees and certain animals, aims to address the problem of potholes in the UK, which cost millions annually in repairs, not to mention causing significant frustration for drivers. The exact mechanisms of crack formation in asphalt are not fully understood, but they often originate from the hardening of bitumen due to oxidation. To tackle this issue, scientists from King's College London and Swansea University collaborated with researchers in Chile on ways to reverse this process and effectively "stitch" asphalt back together. The researchers used artificial intelligence, specifically leveraging Google Cloud's AI capabilities, to develop the self-healing asphalt by combining materials science with advanced modeling techniques. The key innovation is a sophisticated blend of natural spore microcapsules and waste-based rejuvenators. In laboratory experiments, researchers demonstrated that this new asphalt material could heal a microcrack in less than an hour. The asphalt mixture incorporates tiny plant spores filled with recycled oils. These microcapsules are smaller than a strand of hair and are designed to rupture when cracks begin to form in the asphalt. When the road surface is compressed by passing traffic, the spores release their oil, softening the bitumen and allowing it to flow back together. This process enables the asphalt to mend its own cracks over time, effectively "stitching" the material back together. The researchers used machine learning algorithms to analyze organic molecules in the bitumen for insights into the molecular structure and behavior of asphalt materials. They developed data-driven models that accelerate atomistic simulations and advance research into the crack formation processes. The AI also helped identify chemical properties that contribute to self-healing capabilities and enable the creation of virtual molecules, similar to techniques used in drug discovery. Asphalt production for construction and maintenance in the UK is a massive undertaking, with over 20 million tons produced annually. While the industry has been moving towards more sustainable practices by incorporating recycled materials like food waste, the persistent issue of cracks and potholes has remained challenging. This difficulty arises due to asphalt's composition of binder, aggregates, and air voids, which complicates the prediction of crack initiation and propagation. Various contributing factors, including traffic loading, temperature fluctuations, oxidation, moisture infiltration, and construction quality, further complicate the process and make it hard to model accurately. The self-healing asphalt is still in the development phase, but it holds promise for improving infrastructure and promoting sustainability worldwide.

AI-powered self-healing asphalt: A step toward sustainable net-zero roads

Self-healing asphalt roads, made from biomass waste and designed with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), could offer a promising solution to the UK's pothole problem, which is estimated to cost £143.5 million a year. A team of scientists from Swansea University and King's College London, in collaboration with scientists in Chile, is designing a new type of self-healing asphalt that can mend its own cracks without the need for maintenance or human intervention. Cracks form when bitumen -- the sticky black material in the asphalt mixture -- hardens through oxidization, but the exact processes behind this are not entirely known. The team has found a way to reverse cracking and develop methods to "stitch" asphalt back together, creating more durable and sustainable roads. During the research, a type of AI known as machine learning was used to study organic molecules in complex fluids like bitumen. The team developed a new data-driven model to accelerate atomistic simulations, advancing research into bitumen oxidation and crack formation. They are also collaborating with Google Cloud to simulate the behavior of the bitumen on a computer. To make the asphalt "self-healing," the team incorporated tiny, porous materials known as spores, which are smaller than a strand of hair and produced by plants. These spores are filled with recycled oils, which are released when the asphalt begins to crack, helping to reverse the process. In laboratory experiments, this advanced asphalt material was shown to completely heal a microcrack on its surface in less than an hour. Dr. Jose Norambuena-Contreras, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at Swansea University and an expert in self-healing asphalt, said, "As part of our interdisciplinary study, we have brought together experts in civil engineering, chemistry, and computer science, combining this knowledge with the state-of-the-art AI tools of Google Cloud. "We are proud to be advancing the development of self-healing asphalt using biomass waste and artificial intelligence. This approach positions our research at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure innovation, contributing to the development of net-zero roads with enhanced durability." A substantial portion of carbon emissions from roads is linked to asphalt production. As the highway sector increasingly prioritizes carbon reduction to support the UK Government's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, advancing innovative bituminous materials for asphalt roads has become a key research priority. Dr. Norambuena-Contreras said, "To transition to more sustainable net-zero asphalt roads, the UK Government and private sector must invest in initiatives that drive innovation. Achieving this vision by 2050 will only be possible through the united efforts of academia, government, and industry." While still in development, the team's research has enormous potential to improve infrastructure and advance sustainability around the world. Dr. Francisco Martin-Martinez, an expert in computational chemistry at King's College London, said, "In our research, we want to mimic the healing properties observed in nature. For example, when a tree or animal is cut, their wounds naturally heal over time, using their own biology. Creating asphalt that can heal itself will increase the durability of roads and reduce the need for people to fill in potholes. "We are also using sustainable materials in our new asphalt, including biomass waste. This will reduce our dependence on petroleum and natural resources. Biomass waste is available locally and everywhere, and it is cheap. "Producing infrastructure materials from local resources like waste reduces the dependence on petroleum availability, which helps those areas of the world that have limited access to petroleum-based asphalt." Iain Burgess, UKI Public Sector Leader at Google Cloud, added, "We first worked with Dr. Francisco Martin-Martinez when he joined the Google Cloud Research Innovators Program in 2022, providing him [with] access to Google experts, technical resources and training to support his research. "Now, it is inspiring to see how teams at Swansea and King's College London are unlocking the power of cloud-based and AI tools, including Gemini and Vertex AI, to drive more efficient processes and discover chemical properties." Dr. Norambuena-Contreras' current research into bio-based encapsulated solutions for asphalt self-healing also includes creating capsules from biopolymers derived from brown algae and vegetable oils, as well as the development of rejuvenators through the thermal conversion of end-of-life tires.

How AI could make "self-healing" roads a reality

The UK has a pothole problem, costing millions annually in repairs and causing frustration for drivers. But groundbreaking research, supported by Google Cloud's artificial intelligence (AI), may offer a solution: self-healing roads made from biomass waste. Researchers from King's College London and Swansea University, in collaboration with scientists in Chile, have developed a new type of asphalt that can repair its own cracks over time, eliminating the need for manual maintenance. This innovative material is inspired by nature, mimicking the self-healing abilities of trees and some animals. By replicating these regenerative qualities in asphalt, the team aims to create more durable and sustainable roads. The production of asphalt for construction and maintenance in the UK is a massive undertaking, with over 20 million tonnes produced annually. While the industry is moving towards more sustainable practices by incorporating recycled materials like food waste, the issue of cracks and potholes remains. The exact causes of cracks are not fully understood, but they often stem from the hardening of bitumen, the sticky black substance used in asphalt mixtures, due to oxidation. Scientists are actively investigating this process to develop ways to reverse it and effectively "stitch" asphalt back together. In laboratory experiments, the researchers demonstrated that the new asphalt material could heal a microcrack in under an hour. This self-healing process is facilitated by natural spore microcapsules and waste-based rejuvenators. The team used machine learning, a type of AI, to study organic molecules in complex fluids like bitumen. The team developed a new data-driven model to accelerate atomistic simulations, advancing research into bitumen oxidation and crack formation. This approach is significantly faster and more cost-effective than traditional computational models. Additionally, the researchers collaborated with Google Cloud to develop tools that can identify chemical properties and enable the creation of virtual molecules designed for specific purposes, similar to techniques used in drug discovery. Dr. Francisco Martin-Martinez, a computational chemistry expert at King's College London who was part of Google Cloud's Research Innovators Programme in 2022, was one of the researchers working on this project. He points out that mimicking nature in its ability to heal will expand the lifetime of our roads to pave the way towards a more sustainable and resilient road infrastructure. This is in part thanks to the collaboration with Google Cloud in developing AI tools for the rapid development of these self-healing pavements. Dr. Jose Norambuena-Contreras, an expert in self-healing asphalt at Swansea University and winner of the prestigious RILEM Robert L'Hermite medal in 2024, sees this research as a significant contribution to the development of net-zero asphalt roads with enhanced durability. While still under development, self-healing asphalt holds immense promise for improving infrastructure and promoting sustainability worldwide. This innovation aligns with the UK government's net-zero emissions goals and addresses the significant financial burden of road maintenance. By reducing the need for repairs and extending the lifespan of roads, self-healing asphalt could offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to the UK's pothole problem.

Google Cloud's AI Helps Create Self-Healing Asphalt for Sustainable UK Roads

AI accelerates the study of bitumen oxidation and crack formation. Researchers have developed a self-healing asphalt using biomass waste and Google Cloud's artificial intelligence (AI). Supported by Google Cloud, this solution aims to combat the UK's costly pothole problem by creating more durable and sustainable roads. Researchers from King's College London and Swansea University, in collaboration with researchers in Chile, have developed a new type of asphalt that can repair its own cracks over time, eliminating the need for manual maintenance, according to Iain Burgess, Director, Public Sector UK at Google Cloud. Also Read: Google Unveils WeatherNext, New AI Models for Weather Forecasts The new asphalt, inspired by nature's regenerative abilities, can repair cracks autonomously. Laboratory tests show that the material can heal microcracks within an hour. This self-healing process is facilitated by natural spore microcapsules and waste-based rejuvenators, according to Google. A key challenge in road maintenance is the oxidation-induced hardening of bitumen, the sticky black substance in asphalt. To address this, researchers used AI and machine learning to study organic molecules in bitumen, accelerating simulations of its ageing and crack formation. Also Read: CamCom and Vistas Global Partner to Transform Smart City Management with AI "The team used machine learning, a type of AI, to study organic molecules in complex fluids like bitumen. The team developed a new data-driven model to accelerate atomistic simulations, advancing research into bitumen oxidation and crack formation," Burgess explained in a blog post on February 3, 2025. Additionally, the researchers worked with Google Cloud to develop tools that can identify chemical properties and enable the creation of virtual molecules designed for specific purposes, similar to techniques used in drug discovery. "By combining our knowledge with the state-of-the-art AI tools of Google Cloud, we aimed to enhance our understanding of bitumen's healing capabilities through a bottom-up molecular design approach. We are proud to be advancing the development of self-healing asphalt using biomass waste and artificial intelligence," said Jose Norambuena-Contreras, Expert in Self-Healing Asphalt at Swansea University. Also Read: Dareesoft Completes PoC of AI-Powered Road Hazard Detection Service in Dubai "While still under development, self-healing asphalt holds immense promise for improving infrastructure and promoting sustainability worldwide," Google said.

Potholes: Self-healing roads aim to offer solution to crater crisis

Self-healing asphalt roads could soon offer a solution to the UK's pothole crisis, according to new research. Designed with artificial intelligence (AI), a new type of asphalt made from biomass waste can mend its own cracks without the need for maintenance or human intervention. Scientists at Swansea University, King's College London and from Chile have found methods to "stitch" asphalt back together, hoping to create more durable and sustainable roads.