# Field Trial and Performance Evaluation of Soybean-Based Bio-Fog Seals for Asphalt Rejuvenation
## 4 Conclusions and Recommendations  
This field study investigated the effectiveness of soy-based bio-fog seals (SESO and BioMag) as a sustainable pavement maintenance strategy. The following conclusions were summarized:  
* The one-pass, no-heat application process offers significant advantages over traditional methods, which allows rapid drying and minimal traffic disruption.
* The bio-fog seals effectively reduced pavement permeability, potentially enhancing long-term durability by sealing cracks and preventing water infiltration.  
Figure 14: Stiffness and relaxation properties of the MnROAD asphalt samples. \(\bigstar\) Statistically different.  
* Pavement marking reflectivity remained acceptable, eliminating the need for immediate restriping.
* The soybean-based treatments showed promise for improving anti-cracking properties. However, limitations require further investigation:
* The study focused on samples collected after a short period (less than 2 months).
* Bio-fog seals caused a slight decrease in pavement friction and marking reflectivity. Careful selection of roads for application is necessary, potentially excluding older pavements with low initial friction.
* The lack of understanding regarding bio-fog seal diffusion leads to application rates based on experience. Optimizing these rates could lead to more substantial pavement rejuvenation.  
To unlock the full potential of bio-fog seals, future research should address several key areas. Understanding the diffusion process within the pavement is crucial for developing more precise application rates. Additionally, long-term performance evaluation is necessary to assess the durability of these effects. Furthermore, incorporating advanced testing methods, like Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of extracted asphalt binder, can reveal changes in chemical composition due to the rejuvenation process and aging rates. Finally, a life cycle assessment will comprehensively evaluate the environmental impact of bio-fog seals compared to traditional methods.  
By addressing these limitations and expanding the knowledge base, bio-fog seals have the potential to become a widespread and sustainable solution for pavement maintenance, extending pavement life, reducing long-term costs, and promoting environmentally friendly practices.  
Conceptualization, R.C.W., E.C. and A.B. ([PERSON]); methodology, R.C.W., E.C., A.B. ([PERSON]), M.F. and N.H.; formal analysis, A.B. ([PERSON]), A.H., B.K., M.S. and L.P.; investigation, A.L.R., A.B. ([PERSON]) and C.F.; data curation, A.L.R.; writing--original draft preparation, A.L.R. and A.B. ([PERSON]); writing--review and editing, A.L.R. and C.F.; visualization, A.L.R.; project administration, R.C.W., E.C., A.B. ([PERSON]), N.H. and M.F. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), contract number 1036334, and supported by the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) under the Federal Highway Administration Transportation Pooled Fund TPF-5(341) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), grant number 13977262.  
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors on request.  
Author [PERSON] was employed by Ashland, and [PERSON] was employed by [PERSON]. The remaining authors declare no competing interests. Authors [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON] are inventors on U.S. Patent No. 9,932,435 related to biorejuvenators, owned by Iowa State University Research Foundation (ISURF). The authors assert that these affiliations and the patent do not influence the data presented in this manuscript.