Tuan's conductive concrete to be featured on CBS's "Innovation Nation"

Chris Tuan, professor of civil engineering, and the conductive concrete he designed will be featured on this week's episode of the CBS Saturday morning show "The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation."

Saturday's episode will be aired at 10 a.m. on KMTV (channel 3 in Omaha) and KOLN/KGIN (channels 10/11 in Lincoln and Grand Island).

"Innovation Nation," which is hosted by Emmy-winning correspondant Mo Rocca, showcases contemporary designers and inventors from all over the world who are creating solutions to real needs.

The show's web site says "Each episode presents stories related to the process of innovation. ... The intent is to stimulate curiosity and to inspire audiences with entertaining yet educational stories about yesterday and today's visionaries and turning points that changed the course of history, as well as innovations and inventions that are changing the world today."

Tuan's concrete, which includes steel shavings and carbon particles, conducts just enough electricity to melt ice and snow during winter storms but remains safe to the touch. Tuan said the concrete could be a safer alternative to standard concrete mixtures that is used on bridges, tarmacs and runways at airports, driveways, sidewalks and roadways.