Episode 1: Self-healing concrete relies on enzyme-driven mechanism

MRS Bulletin Materials News Podcast

In this podcast episode, MRS Bulletin's Sophia Chen interviews Nima Rahbar of Worcester Polytechnic Institute on the use of an enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, that initiates self-healing in concrete. The enzyme catalyzes calcium in the cement to react with carbon dioxide from the air to form crystals of calcite, which repairs cracks. Rahbar's research group has demonstrated how the material can heal millimeter-wide cracks. Ubiquitous concrete is responsible for 8% of human-made greenhouse gases, including that used in the repair of existing structures. Rahbar's work is expected to help reduce concrete's carbon footprint, while also speeding up the self-healing compared to the previously used bacteria-based methods.