"Blacktops can continue to generate energy after the sun goes down, and upgrades with heat exchangers could be fit into road constructions, which are done every 10 to 12 years, Rajib Mallick, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, said in a statement. Also, wicking heat away from roads could reduce the "heat island" effect in densely populated areas where temperatures rise when buildings and pavement release heat accumulated during the day." (Quoted from article)