Researchers at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) are testing corn to strengthen concrete roads, says a report by ksnblocal4.com.
The report reveals that more than $65 billion is spent every year to repair potholes in streets, cracks in roadways and bridges deteriorating.
Jim Vaux, UNK department chair, industrial technology, says: "We take corn stover, burn it, turn it into ash and then the ash is used as a substitute in cement for fly ash, which is a by-product of coal.”
The corn stover has to burn for around an hour.
Mahmoud Shakouri, assistant professor, UNK, construction management, says: "It is a very promising material, we are still working on the process and trying other methods to improve the quality of the ash we get at the end.”
Cameron Geiger, UNK student, says: "It's an exciting time, if I can be a part of this, it would just be incredible, and it will save a lot of money."
