Researchers have developed a self-healing asphalt using biomass waste and Google Cloud's artificial intelligence (AI). Supported by Google Cloud, this solution aims to combat the UK's costly pothole problem by creating more durable and sustainable roads. Researchers from King's College London and Swansea University, in collaboration with researchers in Chile, have developed a new type of asphalt that can repair its own cracks over time, eliminating the need for manual maintenance, according to Iain Burgess, Director, Public Sector UK at Google Cloud.
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Overcoming Road Maintenance Challenges with AI
The new asphalt, inspired by nature's regenerative abilities, can repair cracks autonomously. Laboratory tests show that the material can heal microcracks within an hour. This self-healing process is facilitated by natural spore microcapsules and waste-based rejuvenators, according to Google.
A key challenge in road maintenance is the oxidation-induced hardening of bitumen, the sticky black substance in asphalt. To address this, researchers used AI and machine learning to study organic molecules in bitumen, accelerating simulations of its ageing and crack formation.
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AI-Powered Research and Collaborations
"The team used machine learning, a type of AI, to study organic molecules in complex fluids like bitumen. The team developed a new data-driven model to accelerate atomistic simulations, advancing research into bitumen oxidation and crack formation," Burgess explained in a blog post on February 3, 2025.
Additionally, the researchers worked with Google Cloud to develop tools that can identify chemical properties and enable the creation of virtual molecules designed for specific purposes, similar to techniques used in drug discovery.
"By combining our knowledge with the state-of-the-art AI tools of Google Cloud, we aimed to enhance our understanding of bitumen's healing capabilities through a bottom-up molecular design approach. We are proud to be advancing the development of self-healing asphalt using biomass waste and artificial intelligence," said Jose Norambuena-Contreras, Expert in Self-Healing Asphalt at Swansea University.
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Self-Healing Asphalt in Infrastructure
"While still under development, self-healing asphalt holds immense promise for improving infrastructure and promoting sustainability worldwide," Google said.
