Two innovative materials—graphite nanoplatelets and taconite concentrates—were examined for their ability to allow early detection of pavement damage when they were added to asphalt binder mixtures. Using microwave energy to heal early pavement cracking was also reviewed. Through extensive testing, researchers made progress toward early damage detection and notable success in healing damaged pavements with microwave energy. The treated pavement samples containing small amounts of these novel materials were restored to their original condition and strength in the laboratory. More study is indicated