Mexican researchers have developed a cement that glows in the dark, making it ideal for use in the construction of highways.

University of San Nicolas Hidalgo (UMSNH) researchers led by Jose Carlos Rubio developed the cement after nine years of study.

The primary challenge that the researchers faced was in developing a cement structure that is in its present form.

When dust, clay or sand is added with water to make the cement, it begins to form a gel and in the process, some crystal flakes are also formed.

"Rubio claimed that the cement can last for 100 years and can store enough sunlight that can be used for 12 hours in the night"

The crystal flakes are an unwanted by-product in the cement making process.

The researchers were able to alter this micro-structure of the cement so that formation of crystal flakes can be avoided. Only an all gel product is formed that absorbs sunlight and emits light in the night.

Rubio claimed that the cement can last for 100 years and can store enough sunlight that can be used for 12 hours in the night, reported Phys.org.

The process of making glow-in-the-dark cement is also claimed to be environmental friendly as only water vapour gets released, reported Crazyengineers.com.

Currently, plastic based florescent material is used, which is not environmental friendly and only lasts for two to three years.