A research team at Arizona University, USA has developed a new asphalt binder that replaces bitumen with liquified algae, World Bio Market Insights reported.
Asphalt on roads and roofs continually releases toxic airborne particles, with volumes dependent on its material composition and the local climate, according to the report.
However, new research showed that a liquified algae binder selectively ‘captured’ compounds before they formed volatile organic compounds and reached the air, the 2 April report said.
Under laboratory conditions, the researchers found that
the patent-pending technology, AirDuo, reduced the level of pollutants released by the bitumen by 70%.
Although the pollutant release figures would need to be re-tested under realistic outdoor conditions, the results indicated how much progress had been made on developing less toxic road material, the research team were quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, a research team at the University of Delft had also been looking into using liquified microalgae as a substitute for asphalt binder, the report said.
