gunmetalskies:txchnologist:New Plastic Heals Itself When CutA project harnessing squid genetics to d
gunmetalskies:txchnologist:New Plastic Heals Itself When CutA project harnessing squid genetics to develop a plastic that reattaches after it has been cut in two could be a significant advance for self-healing materials, according to a study published this month.The squid-based polymer, shown in the gifs above, displays mechanical strength that can be recovered after the material is cut. All it takes is a drop of water, low pressure and some heat, and two pieces fuse back into one. The multinational team behind the research says their material could potentially make self-healing fiber-optic cables and medical implants.“What’s unique about this plastic is the ability to stick itself back together with a drop of water,” said Penn State engineer Melik Demirel. “There are other materials that are self-healing, but not with water.” Learn more and see images below. Keep readingOMG this is huge…This is how muscle fiber works… You could make artificial limbs that feel pain and grow muscle.You could strengthen concrete for high wind / earthquake zones, make a better baseball bat, artificial knee cartilage, hazmat suits that heal themselves after a puncture, donor skin that flexes as it heals, self repairing nano-machines, artificial blood cells, artificial optic nerves…The possibilities are literally endless. Yay science! -- source link