Self-healing concrete developed in the Netherlands could extend bridge lifespans

Researchers in the Netherlands have developed a self-healing concrete that uses embedded bacteria to seal cracks automatically. When water enters a crack, dormant bacteria activate and produce limestone, filling the gap before steel reinforcement can rust. Concrete is the most widely used building material on Earth, but it cracks over time, leading to costly repairs and sometimes dangerous structural failures. This bio-engineered solution could dramatically extend the life of bridges, tunnels, and roads. The trade-off is cost — the special bacteria and nutrients add roughly 20-30% to material prices — but the extended lifespan and reduced maintenance could pay for itself many times over the life of a structure.