Ali Ghahremaninezhad of UM has created a self-healing concrete that could eliminate the need for costly infrastructure repairs. When the concrete is damaged, microorganisms react to create a glue-like agent that fills in the cracks.

“It’s a project inspired by nature,” said Ghahremaninezhad. “We know that certain microorganisms can produce binding agents through a process called biomineralization. So, we embed these microorganisms in concrete during the mixing process. Self-healing concrete would help curtail the amount of cement that is produced and that would have dramatic benefits to the environment.”

• Ali Ghahremaninezhad