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Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered that nuclear radiation can trigger a self-healing effect in concrete, making its structures stronger and more durable in nuclear power plants. This breakthrough could revolutionize engineering and extend the lifespan of these buildings.
Let's face it: concrete is everywhere. Streets, buildings, bridges and even in places we wouldn't even imagine, like nuclear power plants. And when we talk about nuclear energy, the first thing that comes to mind is safety. After all, any structural failure can have catastrophic consequences.
For decades, engineers have wondered: Could radiation affect concrete to the point of weakening it? The fear is real, since nuclear structures need to last for decades without compromising safety. But now, a study from the University of Tokyo brought a surprising discovery: Instead of deteriorating the material, radiation can make it stronger. Yes, concrete may have a hidden superpower.
Radiation that cures concrete
It all started when researchers decided to investigate the impact of radiation on concrete, more specifically on quartz, one of its main components. They expected to find signs of wear, but what they saw was something completely out of the ordinary: the concrete was, in a way, “healing.”
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What happens is that the radiation interacts with the quartz crystals, distorting their structure. But instead of simply cracking and weakening, the material activates an internal recovery mechanism. In other words, it sort of adjusts itself, compensating for the damage.
It's as if you had a glass that, instead of cracking and breaking, was able to regenerate itself when exposed to the sun. Amazing, right?
How does radiation act in this case?
Neutron radiation hits the quartz crystals in concrete and disrupts their structure. Normally, this would cause them to expand and weaken. But what scientists have discovered is that, thanks to the interaction between silicon and oxygen atoms, the material undergoes a “healing” process that reduces these negative effects.
Basically, the radiation messes with the quartz, but the quartz itself finds a way to reorganize and recover. The result? Concrete may end up lasting much longer than we imagined, especially in high-radiation environments like nuclear power plants.
Could concrete become a self-repairing material?
If this discovery is confirmed in new studies, we are talking about a real game changer for civil engineering. Maintaining nuclear structures is an expensive and complex task, and any crack can become a major problem. Now, imagine if we had concrete that repaired itself? That would be a huge step forward!
And it's not just in the nuclear sector that this can make a difference.. The construction industry in general can benefit from this technology to create buildings, bridges and even highways that require less maintenance. Have you ever imagined a world where concrete repairs become a thing of the past?
Okay, it works with nuclear power plants, because that's encapsulated and the irradiation happens whether you like it or not. But you can't irradiate bridges, buildings and other works with neutrons just for maintenance.
Reinforced concrete has well-known pathologies and, therefore, has well-established maintenance techniques. If a culture of maintenance were widespread, there would be no need for anything else. Concrete is very durable, as long as it is well maintained.
(Bridges like the one that collapsed in the Amazon region at the end of the year did not fall due to a lack of neutron radiation but rather due to the government's neglect of traditional maintenance.)