TDLR; Reject modernity, Embrace Empire!
So for the non history guys wondering why this is a big deal 'we already have concrete?' Yes and it can be stronger than Roman concrete but does not have the longevity of roman concrete as look at the amount of Roman architecture still standing when left untouched by humans for thousands of years.
The cause is it's structure, roman concrete has a lot of lime deposits in it. When over time cracks form, when it rains the water reacts with these lime deposits, recrystalise and fill the cracks, essentially self healing the structure. The romans had nanomachines before they were a thing. Near seawater, their structures actually got tougher over time due to exposure to the minerals in the seawater.
So us finally understanding this means we can now create longer lasting and even stronger structures given time. Lets just hope this Roman concrete is ONLY used in ancient, renaissance or gothic architecture and not any of the shit we make nowadays!
Thought this was a fun example of how much studying history is extremely important to improving the current world.
Couldn't they have used a mass spectrometer or whatever the fuck it's called to see wtf they made concrete with back in the day? Like wtf took so long
Sure! Just as soon as they publish all their findings on the adverse effects sugar has on human physiology but before they get paid to pin all the problems on fat.
The main bullet point here is that it is likely special interests paid specialists to look the other way to preserve their outmoded businesses.
That doesn't really make sense, there's never going to be a point where we go "yeah we don't need anyone to pour anymore concrete ever again" by inventing better concrete. Between new construction, expansions, refits and remodels, and minor repairs from accidents.
There's a whole industry around restoration and preservation. They're not going to let that go.
Same reason it costs too much to cure disease so all medical efforts are on daily meds and customers for life.
Lets say hypothetically this process increases structure lifespans by 30%.
That's 30% less profit ((long noses))) could be making.
Do you really think they'd give up a cent, let alone 30%?
It might in the Mediterranean, it won't anywhere with seasons. Freeze and thaw cycles crack concrete more than a little recystalization is going to be able to fix.
Also, companies will just charge more up front for less upkeep later. Have you ever bought material for a project? Like ever?