Glow-in-the-dark sidewalks could replace streetlights
By Casey Williams, Huffington Post
The world’s dullest building material just got a lot more exciting.
A scientist in Mexico announced earlier this month that he had developed solar-powered, glow-in-the-dark cement that could be used to illuminate roads, bike lanes and walking paths, according to the news site Investigación y Desarrollo.
The cement absorbs energy from the sun during the day and converts that energy into light at night. After a full day under the sun, the material can shine for up to 12 hours.
Cement is a powder that forms a gel when it’s mixed with water. Adding water also typically produces tiny crystal flakes that block light.