South Korea has introduced an amazing new self-healing road that can fix its own cracks and potholes using only sunlight. This new road uses a special type of asphalt that has tiny nano-microcapsules mixed into it.
When these capsules are heated by the sun’s UV rays, they break open and release a special polymer-oil solution that fills and seals any cracks or holes in the road.
What’s even more impressive is that this self-repairing road works even during winter when temperatures are low. Cracks can be sealed within just 45 minutes of being exposed to sunlight.
The road also has smart sensors built into it. These sensors keep checking for any damage and can send warnings or even start the repair process by themselves.
Tests have shown that this smart road technology can reduce road maintenance costs by up to 60%. Because of these promising results, South Korea is now testing this new road surface on airport runways, military roads, and other busy routes that often get damaged.
Experts say that if this technology works as planned, it could completely change how roads are maintained. In the future, workers may not have to fix potholes manually anymore, which will save time, money, and reduce traffic jams caused by road repairs.
If all goes well, experts believe that in the next five years, we could see self-healing roads become normal in many places, helping drivers enjoy smoother, safer rides while saving governments a lot of money.
