I-Corps: Self-Heating, Electrically Conductive Concrete Heated Pavement System for Sustainable Winter Maintenance Operation

I-Corps项目更广泛的影响和商业潜力是开发一种可持续加热路面技术，在冬季融化路面上的冰雪。航空和运输机构每年都要投入大量的时间和资源来清除路面上的冰雪，以实现安全、方便和可运行的运输网络。由于速度降低、延误，在某些情况下，由于每年冬天的雪和冰暴，运输网络的动员能力大大降低。目前的冬季维护操作包括使用扫雪机和除冰剂，这是耗时，劳动密集，不环保的操作。实施拟议的技术可以改善公共安全，限制盐和除冰化学品的使用，减少运输系统（机场、高速公路等）的延误和取消，减少滑倒的可能性和相关的定居点。此外，拟议中的技术可以缓解残疾人在冬季的通勤，更好地满足美国残疾人法案的标准。该技术旨在通过互联网远程操作，这进一步为全球提供了机会。I-Corps的这个项目是基于导电混凝土（ECON）加热路面系统的开发，作为传统冰雪清除的替代方案。提出的技术利用混凝土对电流的固有电阻来产生热量，保持路面表面高于冰点温度，从而防止表面冰雪堆积。电力是由嵌入在ECON中的不锈钢钢筋提供的。一个完全自动化的控制系统操作该系统。这项技术的测试和性能监测正在得梅因国际机场和爱荷华州交通部总部的两个全面示范项目中进行。拟议的技术可以提供一种智能、环保的替代耕作和除冰操作，可以有效地减少铺装表面的冰雪形成，同时增强冬季基础设施网络的可持续性和弹性。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a sustainable heated pavement technology to melt ice and snow on paved surfaces during the winter season. Aviation and transportation agencies allocate significant time and resources each year to remove ice and snow from their paved surfaces to achieve a safe, accessible, and operational transportation network. Transportation networks experience a significant reduction in mobilization capacity due to speed reduction, delays, and in some cases complete shutdown of parts of the network due to snow and ice storms each winter. The current practice for winter maintenance operation includes using snowplows and deicing chemicals, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and environmentally unfriendly. Implementation of the proposed technology may improve public safety, limit the use of salt and deicing chemicals, reduce delays and cancelations in the transportation system (airports, highways, etc.), reduce the slip and fall potential and the associated settlements. In addition, the proposed technology may ease the commute of individuals with disabilities in the winter season and better meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The technology is designed to be operated remotely via the internet, which further opens opportunities worldwide.This I-Corps project is based on the development of an electrically conductive concrete (ECON) heated pavement system as an alternative to conventional snow and ice removal. The proposed technology utilizes the inherent electrical resistance of concrete to electricity flow to generate heat, maintain the pavement surface above freezing temperatures, and thus prevent snow and ice accumulation on the surface. The electricity is applied using stainless steel rebars embedded in the ECON. A fully automated control system operates the system. The testing and performance monitoring of this technology is in progress at two full-scale demonstration projects at Des Moines International Airport and the Iowa Department of Transportation headquarters. The proposed technology may provide a smart, environmentally friendly alternative to plowing and deicing operations and may effectively mitigate snow and ice formation on paved surfaces while enhancing the sustainability and resiliency of the infrastructure network in the winter season.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.