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

这个I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种可持续的加热路面技术，以在冬季融化铺设路面上的冰雪。航空和运输机构每年都要花费大量的时间和资源来清除路面上的冰雪，以实现安全、可访问和可运营的交通网络。由于速度降低、延误，以及在某些情况下，由于每年冬季的暴风雪和冰暴，交通网络的部分网络完全关闭，交通网络的动员能力显著降低。 目前冬季维护作业的做法包括使用扫雪机和除冰化学品，这是耗时，劳动密集型和环境不友好的。所提出的技术的实施可以改善公共安全，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）中的延误和取消，减少滑动和跌落的可能性以及相关的沉降。此外，拟议的技术可以缓解残疾人在冬季的通勤，并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，这进一步打开了全球范围内的机会。这个I-Corps项目是基于开发导电混凝土（ECON）加热路面系统，作为传统除雪和除冰的替代方案。 该技术利用混凝土对电流的固有电阻来产生热量，使路面保持在冰点以上，从而防止表面积雪和结冰。ECON采用不锈钢钢筋供电，全自动控制系统运行。 在得梅因国际机场和爱荷华州运输部总部的两个全面示范项目中，正在对这项技术进行测试和性能监测。这项技术可以提供一种智能的、环境友好的替代耕作和除冰操作的方法，可以有效地减少铺设路面上的积雪和结冰，同时提高基础设施网络在冬季的可持续性和弹性。该奖项反映了NSF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.