Biomimetic Antifreeze Molecules: A Novel Solution to Deicing Salts and Air-Entraining Admixtures

In determining what is effective in preventing or slowing ice formation and growth on roadways and bridges, it was found that biomimetic antifreeze molecules (BAMs) would not effectively melt ice once it has formed nor provide additional synergistic benefit to using the molecules in tandem with traditional deicers. Contrastingly, BAMs did prevent freeze-thaw damage in cement paste and concrete.

The TRB Highway Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis Program's IDEA Final Report 204: Biomimetic Antifreeze Molecules: A Novel Solution to Deicing Salts and Air-Entraining Admixtures finds, through freeze-thaw testing, that BAM-modified cement paste and concrete are freeze-thaw resistant and that the freeze-thaw resistance occurs with minimal air entrainment in concrete.