Illuminating Construction Materials

Researchers from the University of São Paulo's Physics Institute and the University of Leuven unveil a groundbreaking luminescent material designed to detect concrete deterioration under ultraviolet (UV) light. This innovation offers a fast, cost-effective, on-site solution for analyzing concrete structures, especially for dam construction.

The material exhibits orange-to-red luminescence by leveraging a catalyst based on layered double hydroxide (LDH) or anionic clay infused with trivalent europium (Eu3+). In laboratory tests, exposure to UV light resulted in a color shift corresponding to the absorbed carbonate content, enabling precise detection of concrete degradation.

The innovative luminescent material provides a fast, on-site analysis of concrete structures, aiding in detecting deterioration and streamlining maintenance processes. This can contribute to significant cost and carbon reduction benefits for projects in the construction industry.

Image Credit: Evgeny_V