# Self-Healing Concrete Cost-Effective Formula Reduces CO2 by Extending Useful Life of Cement By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-05-30 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/self-healing-concrete References: [green.blorge](http://green.blorge.com/2010/05/cost-effective-self-healing-concrete-developed-at-uri/) & [uri.edu](http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/?id=5359) Michelle Pelletier, a [University of Rhode Island](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick) master's degree candidate from Woonsocket, Rhode Island has embedded a microencapsulated healing agent directly into a concrete formulation enabling it to 'heal.' When tiny stress cracks begin to form in the concrete, the embedded healing agent reacts with other concrete components to produce crack-filling goo that hardens in about a week. The self-healing concrete formula may also be less corrosive to the metal reinforcement bars commonly used in concrete construction. “If self-healing concrete can lengthen the life of the concrete and reduce maintenance and repairs, it will ultimately reduce the production of excess amounts of concrete and result in a [decrease in CO2 emissions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/threelayer-electrode),” Pelletier said. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Self-healing Materials:** The development of materials that have self-healing properties presents an opportunity for disruption across various industries that rely on the durability of materials. - **Eco-friendly Construction:** The use of self-healing concrete presents new ways for the construction industry to reduce waste, improve sustainability, and decrease CO2 emissions. - **Material Technology Advancements:** The incorporation of advanced materials like microencapsulated healing agents in existing materials can lead to improved durability and increased longevity. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Construction Industry:** The self-healing concrete technology has the potential to decrease maintenance costs and increase the useful life of concrete structures and components. - **Infrastructure Industry:** Self-healing materials like concrete have the potential to reduce the need for costly repairs and maintenance, therefore improving the durability and lifespan of infrastructure. - **Sustainable Manufacturing Industry:** The use of self-healing concrete is not only environmentally friendly but can also improve the overall sustainability of the manufacturing and construction process. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Shrimp Cell-Fused Cements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shrimp-cell-fused-cement.md) - [Coastal Concrete Building Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/econcrete.md) - [Carbon-Negative Artificial Sand](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artificial-sand.md) - [Salt-Infused Roadway Asphalts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asphalt-additive.md) - [Bio-Cement Oceanic Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reef-rocket.md) - [Underwater Concrete Printing Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darpa-1.md) - [Living Printable Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-ink.md) - [Barcon-Negative Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picoplanktonics.md) - [AI Construction Optimizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/braincrete.md)