We found a way for the material to start repairing itself

But not doing sowould also endanger thousands of lives.Fortunately, we’re already experimenting with ways this material could start fixing itself.And some of these solutions are inspired by concrete’s natural self-healing mechanism.When water enters these tiny cracks,it hydrates the concrete’s calcium oxide.The resulting calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide in the air,starting a process called autogenous healing, where microscopic calcium carbonate crystals form and gradually fill the gap.