Smooth Moves: A Better Way to Rebuild Roads

Roads can last longer with an asphalt seal. But the traditional method of applying asphalt requires temperatures often higher than 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Andrew Braham, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Arkansas, has a better way: asphalt emulsions.

An emulsion combines asphalt and water, and the mixture can be applied to roads at room temperature. The approach could save money for cities, counties, state highway departments and retailers like Walmart that maintain thousands of square miles of parking lots.