European research into "smart" concrete was shared Wednesday evening with Penn College students in civil engineering and a variety of construction-related majors.
The hourlong seminar – "Self-monitoring and self-healing concrete: reality or just a dream?" – was delivered by Andrzej Cwirzen, head of the Building Materials Research Group at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden.The Polish-born professor is on sabbatical, serving as a visiting scholar in civil engineering and geodetic engineering at The Ohio State University.
Cwirzen discussed various attempts to create resilient, long-lasting concrete using nanotechnology and other materials designed to provide an early warning of internal defects or, similar to cuts on human skin, heal cracks that could compromise structural integrity.
The College Avenue Labs presentation was arranged by Drew R. Potts, assistant professor of civil engineering technology, who attended along with Joseph F. DiBucci, instructor of building construction technology: concrete and masonry; Franklin H. Reber Jr., instructor of building construction technology; and Robert A. Wozniak, associate professor of architecture.