Materials Scientist Eric Bescher Represents UC System at National Transportation Showcase, Highlighting Importance of Federal Partnerships

Eric Bescher, an associate adjunct professor of materials science and engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, represented the University of California system at a transportation research showcase May 19 in Washington, D.C. He shared UCLA innovations developed in collaboration with the federal government to accelerate technology deployment, expedite infrastructure repairs and improve transportation resilience. 

Hosted by the nonprofit Science Coalition composed of leading U.S. public and private research universities, the Science of Transportation exhibits highlighted contributions of research universities to the infrastructure that allows people and goods to move efficiently across the country.

The event brought together more than 130 leaders from academia, industry and government, including Seval Oz, assistant secretary of research and technology at the Department of Transportation, who recently visited UCLA, and Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., the ranking member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Along with UCLA, representatives from nine other universities presented their research, including UC Davis, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Nebraska system, the Ohio State University and the University of Illinois system.

Bescher presented UCLA Samueli’s advancements in scalable, cost-effective cement technologies for modern transportation infrastructure, including high-performance, low-carbon cement systems designed to accelerate roadway repair and enhance durability. His current work involves rapid-strength, low-carbon cementitious materials for the repair and resilience of critical concrete pavement infrastructure, including airports, airfields and transportation systems.

Science Coalition

Bescher speaks with Seval Oz, the assistant secretary of research and technology at the Department of Transportation

In 2020, working with Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle, Bescher installed a sustainable concrete slab made of belitic calcium sulfoaluminate, or BCSA, which emits 35% less carbon dioxide than traditional cement and has a longer service life. BCSA concrete also sets rapidly, allowing air traffic to resume faster.

He also highlighted CarbonBuilt, the XPRIZE-winning UCLA team that pioneered carbon utilization in concrete, led by Gaurav Sant, the Pritzker Professor of Sustainability at UCLA Samueli. UCLA’s Mobility Center of Excellence, established by a $7.5 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration, was also featured prominently.

In his presentation, Bescher emphasized that federal partnerships can expedite infrastructure repair, reduce delays and costs, improve construction efficiency and accelerate technology deployment.

The event coincided with congressional discussions on the next federal surface transportation bill, which supports investment in roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs. 

Bescher chairs the International Code Council’s Low-Carbon Alternative Cements Committee and the Technical Committee on Calcium Sulfoaluminate-Based Cement and Concrete at the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures. He also serves on the American Concrete Institute’s committee on alternative cements.