05/15/2014
Self-healing plastic based on bio-mechanics
A new self-healing plastic can go beyond healing small cracks by regenerating itself to seal even large holes.
The plastic is based on a technology called 'vascular delivery,' that has been under development for some time. The technology is built upon using a series of vein-like channels to circulate two chemicals that can flow into the gaps caused by damage. When the two chemicals mix, they form a gel that fills the space and then hardens into a strong polymer--repairing the damage.
The technology could have applications in everyday objects, such as mobile phones and car bumpers, as well as spacecraft.
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