New Light-Emitting Cement Could Light Highways Without Electricity

Rubio stated, “Nine years ago, when I started the project, I realized there was nothing similar worldwide, and so I started to work on it. The main issue was that cement is an opaque body that doesn’t allow the pass of light to its interior.” He explained that common cement is a dust that when it’s added to water, it dissolves as an effervescent pill. “In that moment it starts to become a gel,” similar to the one used for hair styling, but much stronger and resistant; at the same time, some crystal flakes are formed, these are unwanted sub-products in hardened cement.”

Because of this, Rubio focused on modifying the micro-structure of the cement in order to eliminate crystals and make it completely gel, helping it to absorb solar energy and then return it to the environment as light. However, this new cement is sun resistant and has an estimated lifespan of 100 years. Furthermore, it is ecologilcal because it’s made out of sand, dust or clay that becomes the gel. The only residue is water steam. Currently, the fluorescence exists in blue or green color, and the light intensity can be regulated to avoid dazzling drivers or cyclist, or unnecessary glare.

This Mexican project has inspired other countries to follow this line of research. “Due to this patent (the first one for this university), other patents have surfaced worldwide. In the UK, we received recognition from the Newton fund, given by the Royal Engineering Academy of London, which chooses global success cases in technology and entrepreneurship.”

For the Investigación y Desarrollo Online News material, please go to: http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=163844&CultureCode=en.
To read the Science Daily Online News article, please go to: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160505222436.htm.