All That Glitters Could Be Cement

We have all experienced glow-in-the-dark materials for many years. But, that was all a play. How about walking on a cemented road that glows in the dark? Well, now that's a reality. Jose Carlos Rubio from Michoacan's University of San Nicolas Hidalgo has created a cement which absorbs solar energy and returns it to the environment by emitting light in the night. This cemented-road would not need any batteries or any kind of charging, just the rays of the sun are enough to light up your path. With this, you could do away with the

According to Rubio, most of the glow-in-the-dark material are made of plastic and have an average life of three years because they decay with ultraviolet (UV) rays, the new cement is sun-resistant and has an estimated life span of 100 years.

How was this cement invented?

Common cement is a dust that when added to water dissolves completely, in that instant it starts to become a gel much like the one used for hair styling, but much stronger and resistant. At the same moment, some unwanted crystal flakes are also formed. Researchers focused on modifying the micro-structure of the cement to eliminate crystals and make it completely gel. This new-formed cement could absorb the sun's heat during the day and emit light at night for at least 12 hours. Many countries have been inspired by this line of research, due to which many similar patents have emerged globally.

The biggest challenge, Rubio says, was how to let light in into a material that is opaque and doesn't allow light to its interior.

The use

For now, this cement is available in blue and green colour and its light intensity can be regulated to avoid dazzling drivers and bicyclers.  Moreover, researchers say that this cement could also be used as plaster in the interiors of exteriors of the building. Thus, eliminating the need of night lamps to a large extent.

Moreover, this gel form of the cement minus the fluorescent could be a perfect fit for hospitals, restaurants or the food processing industry, as it inhibits growth and reproduction of yeast and fungi.