No shovel needed: Special concrete could melt mounds of snow

An article in National Geographic about a new type of concrete that electrifies pavement to melt snow now being tested in Nebraska quotes Deborah D.L. Chung, Niagara Mohawk Chair Professor of Materials Research in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who has long studied conductive concrete and says cost is “the biggest hurdle” when it comes to adopting new materials. “A new concrete formulation needs very, very thorough field testing before contractors would dare to use it, because there are liability issues,” she said. “To get a new concrete to be accepted by contractors, it’s a long haul.”

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http://news.nationalgeographic.com/energy/2016/01/16016-conductive-concrete-could-melt-mounds-of-snow/