Dr. Kendra Erk and graduate students, Krafcik and Bose, created water-swollen polymer hydrogel particles that act as internal curing agents in high performance concrete. Hydrogel particles which contained nanosilica were observed to catalyze the growth of strong inorganic phases within void space previous occupied by the swollen particles, ultimately yielding concrete with improved strength and durability. Advances in Civil Engineering Materials, 2018. Learn more: bit.ly/hydrogelparticles