Innovation Watch: Take me home, hi-tech roads

It’s a challenging time to be working in sustainability, as the field attracts fresh scrutiny in the beam of a skeptical political spotlight. But despite the headwinds, there’s much cause for optimism as organisations and innovators around the world dedicate themselves to finding creative solutions to the challenges faced by the planet and society.?

In that spirit, Sustainability Leaders is dedicating Innovation Watch to highlighting positive and inspiring stories from the community. Today’s edition features roads that can repair themselves, Lego’s latest efforts at carbon capture and Chipotle’s latest investments in technologies to decarbonise its agricultural supply chain.

‘Self-healing’ roads to cut emissions and eliminate potholes

Self-healing asphalt designed using artificial intelligence could significantly reduce carbon emissions from road maintenance as well as improve conditions for motorists and cyclists.

UK-based researchers at Swansea University and King’s College London have collaborated with scientists from Chile?to develop a material capable of “stitching” its own cracks without human intervention.

The team used Google Cloud AI tools to carry out atomic simulations of how cracks form in bitumen. They designed a new form of the material that contains “spores” of biomass material that is released when the material cracks, which then sets to heal the damage.

With asphalt production being one of the largest sources of emissions from road construction, the team has called on governments and industry to invest in furthering the research.

Francisco Martin-Martinez, an expert in computational chemistry at King’s College London, said the team aimed to emulate the healing properties found in nature: “When a tree or animal is cut, their wounds naturally heal over time, using their own biology. Creating asphalt that can heal itself will increase the durability of roads and reduce the need for people to fill in potholes.”

Lego builds up ESG investments

Toymaker Lego has added to its burgeoning carbon removal efforts with a 19m DKK ($2.7m) investment in four projects involving biochar, advanced rock weathering and reforestation set to be rolled out over the next two years.?

The biochar process involves turning waste biomass that would otherwise create emissions as it decomposes into a form of charcoal capable of storing the carbon for the long-term.

Meanwhile, enhanced rock weathering entails spreading finely ground rocks onto fields, speeding up a natural chemical reaction between the rocks and air that sequesters carbon from the atmosphere.

Both processes also have the potential to improve soil health and will deliver carbon removal credits for Lego. CSO Annette Stube said the partnerships would allow Lego to build its understanding of the technologies and “support a healthy planet for future generations”.?

Chipotle backs upstream emissions projects

Chipotle’s sustainable innovation investment vehicle, Cultivate Next, has invested in two new companies that could help the restaurant chain tackle carbon emissions in its supply chain. The programme has taken minority stakes in Plantible, which cultivates high-protein aqua plants; and CH4 Global, a maker of methane-reducing feed additives.?

Plantible’s focus is on Lemna, a type of duckweed that it says contains a similar quality of proteins to eggs or meat but can be produced using 10 times less water than soya and contributes positively to biodiversity. It can be used as an ingredient in plant-based meats and baked goods.?

CH4 Global’s Methane Tamer, made from Asparagopsis seaweed, aims to reduce the methane emissions of cattle by up to 90% – as well as boost nutrition in the animals’ diets.?