Researchers have developed an innovative method for sealing cracks and fractures in rock using a “concretion-forming resin” based on fossilization processes. This new method is particularly useful for underground activities like disposing of pollutants or hazardous materials, where long-term sealing of rocks is crucial. Current cement-based sealing materials do not offer the required durability, especially in earthquake-prone countries like Japan. Lead researcher Hidekazu Yoshida was inspired by the durability of fossils in concretions, which can withstand weathering and seismic disturbances for millions of years.
The concretion-forming process involves minerals in groundwater precipitating and accumulating around organic material, forming impenetrable crystals that seal cracks and holes. The researchers developed a resin-based material that mimics this process, utilizing agents that hold the ions needed to form calcite when water is introduced. This resin forms calcite crystals in cracks and holes, providing rapid and effective sealing abilities. During a test in an underground laboratory in Hokkaido, Japan, the resin successfully sealed flow-paths in the rock, even withstanding multiple earthquakes, including a magnitude 5.4 earthquake. The material showed sustained sealing effects, with cracks resealing as the crystals reformed post-earthquake.
The research team is collaborating with various organizations to ensure the commercial viability of the resin for a wide range of applications. These applications include long-term underground sequestration of radioactive waste and carbon dioxide, sealing abandoned oil wells, groundwater control during rock and mine excavation, and repair of cracks in ageing infrastructure like roads and buildings. The material’s fast-acting and sustained sealing abilities set it apart from conventional cement materials, making it a promising solution for various underground activities that require long-term rock sealing. Yoshida and his team are optimistic about the potential impact of their research on improving safety and sustainability in underground operations.
The revolutionary resin-based material developed by the research team offers a unique approach to sealing cracks and fractures in rock, providing a much-needed solution for long-term rock sealing in various underground activities. Inspired by the durability of fossils in concretions, the researchers mimicked the natural concretion-forming process using a specially formulated resin that forms calcite crystals in cracks and holes. The material proved its effectiveness during tests in an underground laboratory in Japan, withstanding multiple earthquakes and exhibiting sustained sealing effects even after seismic disturbances.
The team’s collaboration with organizations like the Japan Atomic Energy Agency and Sekisui Chemical Co. aims to ensure the commercial viability of the resin for a wide range of applications, including the underground sequestration of radioactive waste and carbon dioxide, sealing abandoned oil wells, and repairing cracks in ageing infrastructure. The resin’s ability to rapidly seal cracks and holes in rock, even after earthquakes, sets it apart from conventional cement materials, making it a promising solution for enhancing safety and sustainability in various underground activities. Yoshida and his team are excited about the potential impact of their research on advancing technology for long-term rock sealing in critical underground operations.