MIT Team Reverse-Engineers a Curious 2000-Year-Old Roman Technology to Create Modern Material That Heals Its Own Cracks

MIT researchers reverse-engineer ancient Roman concrete to create modern materials that self-heal cracks. The team, led by Admir Masic, found that the durability of Roman concrete is not just due to its ingredients but also its manufacturing process. They discovered that calcium in lime clasts can dissolve and recrystallize when water enters the material, sealing cracks. This discovery is being applied to develop a new type of concrete that can self-repair, reducing the carbon footprint of construction. Dmat, a company co-founded by Masic and Paolo Sabatini, is producing this material, which can be added to existing concrete to introduce self-healing properties. The material is competitively priced and easy to implement, with plans to expand into the United States and other countries. It can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 40% compared to traditional concrete. The approach differs from other self-healing materials that rely on bacteria or polymers, instead using ancient techniques. The material is expected to become the industry standard, extending the lifespan of structures and reducing emissions.

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