Two Slabs Of Electrically Conductive Concrete Have Been Installed At US Airport To Melt Snow!

At Des Moines International Airport in Iowa, two slabs of electrically conductive concrete have been installed to melt snow and ice.

The research team from Iowa State University said that if the test is successful, then the technology could also be used in and around gates. This is used for the airport ground-handling equipment and employee activity, as well as in front of the terminal for passengers.

Features Of Slabs:

• These two slabs can be controlled by Smartphone.
• These are 4.5m by 4.1m concrete and are formed of two layers. The bottom stratum is 100mm of regular concrete, and the top layer is 890mm layer is made from the conductive material.
• Between the layers are 12 electrodes, six per slab, running the width of each slab to create the heat?
• The concrete contains 1% carbon fiber and a special mix of cement, sand, and rocks, with the carbon fiber allowing the concrete to conduct electricity.
• The slabs are also fitted with temperature probes, strain gauges, and humidity sensors.
• There are two surveillance cameras mounted nearby and a high-grade thermal camera will be used to monitor progress.
• The technology uses 333W per sqm, the equivalent to the energy used by three light bulbs for seven hours.

An Iowa State engineer, Halil Ceylan said: “We have proven this technology does work. Our goal is to keep airports open, safe and accessible. We don’t want any aircraft skidding off runways or slips, or falls. Our aim is to provide a safe environment and fewer delays.”

If results continue to be successful, then the research is run by the Federal Aviation Administration and may be extended to other airports.