Engineers in the Chinese mainland have unveiled an ingenious innovation that could transform runway safety: a new ultra-light foam concrete, nicknamed "marshmallow concrete." This remarkable material looks sturdy but crumbles on impact, gently absorbing the energy of heavy aircraft during emergency landings 🛬.
The breakthrough comes from the collaborative efforts of the China Building Materials Academy (CBMA) Co., Ltd., the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology, and an affiliated tech firm in Beijing. Awarded second prize for innovation by the China Building Materials Federation, this material boasts over 80% porosity and weighs just 200 kilograms per cubic meter – roughly a tenth of conventional concrete.
Traditional runway end safety areas (RESAs) have relied on water pools, grass, or sand, each with its own challenges like freezing or instability. According to Fang Jun, a CBMA research and development engineer, the secret lies in a meticulous foaming process that "blows bubbles" into the mix, enhanced by a maleated rosin-based twin-chain air-entraining agent that fortifies the bubble membranes, forming a robust and smart barrier 💡.
Moreover, the team has developed a dual-stage strength-regulation technology, ensuring the material maintains optimal impact performance even under long-term outdoor conditions. This cost-effective innovation opens up new possibilities for safer landings, particularly benefiting low-cost airports.
With a blend of creative engineering and scientific precision, this "marshmallow" concrete marks a bold step forward in aviation safety and offers a fresh solution to modern challenges 🚀.
Reference(s):
Scientists create 'marshmallow' concrete to stop aircraft safely
cgtn.com
