The University of Nebraska researchers are working on a new type of warm concrete that will be helpful in the street clean-up post a snowfall.

Electric currents will be used to warm up the concrete, which will allow it to melt snow without needing plows and salt trucks. Presently, they are testing the concrete at a 200-square-foot site outside of Peter Kiewit Institute in Nebraska.

Here is how the superb concrete will work. Particles of carbon and steel shavings are added to asphalt mix. The extra elements added constitute only 20% of the total concrete mix. When the material hardens, even then the particles and shavings can conduct electricity, melting away snow and ice. It is harmless to humans.

Lead researcher Chris Tuan, a professor of civil engineering at University of Nebraska Lincoln, via National Geographic, said that when conducting concrete is used, the entire concrete gets hot and there is no cold area.

The research has been funded by the FAA. However, they are planning to use the concrete for airport tarmacs.

In a press release, Tuan said, “To my surprise, they don't want to use it for runways. What they need is tarmac around gated areas cleared, because they have so many carts to unload, luggage service, food service, trash service, that all need to get into those areas”.

Tuan said that they are very optimistic that if they can heat that type of tarmac, then there would be a much lesser weather-related delays.

The replacement of all concrete with electricity-conducing concrete would be probably quite expensive and thus it would make more sense to use it in strategic sites such as bridges and driveways. Tuan has been successfully using the special concrete in his own home.