Science Friday Secrets Of Ancient Concrete, And... Data Centers In Space?
Jan 14, 2026
Dr. Admir Masic, an MIT expert in ancient concrete, shares thrilling insights from a Pompeii site that can revolutionize modern construction. He reveals how Romans created self-healing concrete using volcanic ash and lime, offering a glimpse into sustainable building practices. Meanwhile, Dr. Benjamin Lee from the University of Pennsylvania discusses the ambitious concept of orbital data centers, emphasizing their potential to harness continuous solar power. He highlights the engineering challenges of cooling and data transfer in space while advocating for enhancing Earth-based data center efficiency first.
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Time‑Frozen Roman Construction Site
- Admir Masic describes finding a preserved construction site in Pompeii with raw materials and tools frozen at the moment of eruption.
- He says walking through it felt like literal time travel and confirmed hypotheses about Roman mixing practices.
Romans Used Dry Premix 'Hot Mixing'
- Pompeians premixed ground quicklime and volcanic ash dry, then added water, a process Masic calls hot mixing.
- Hot mixing raises local temperatures and alters reactions compared with the slaking-first method Vitruvius described.
Mechanism Behind Self‑Healing Concrete
- Roman concrete shows self‑healing through dissolution and recrystallization in microcracks enabled by their mixing method.
- Modern concrete lacks these recrystallization processes, explaining the Romans' long-lasting structures.
