Russia: Moscow authorities considering construction of roads from concrete

Researchers at the University of Michigan are looking at how to make concrete stronger and more flexible. They studied the interior coating (nacre) of abalone shells and found that its composition resembles brick walls. The nacre contains polymer which holds the rigid layers together, at the same time allowing them to slip from one side to another when subjected to stress. This is what makes the nacre both flexible and strong.

The testing of materials such as concrete and asphalt is essential for sound structures: in many regions it is a legal requirement. Patrick Smith reports. Malta National Laboratory's decision to ask the internationally respected TRL to help it establish a construction materials testing facility shows the importance attached to such facilities. This agreement will allow MNL to become an independent test house on the Mediterranean island, able to undertake the testing of road materials such as aggregates, con

US researchers say they have developed a type of 'self-healing' cement that would enable an 87% reduction in cracks during drilling applications.

The government-run Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) claims that its self-healing cement can outperform conventional concrete, offering a potentially pollution-preventing technology for the growing geothermal industry.