Coagulation Inspired Plastic Able to Regenerate (VIDEO)
May 9th, 2014; posted by: WeBleed staff
Researchers at the University of Illinois have invented a process inspired by the way human blood clots and repairs itself.
“We have demonstrated repair of a nonliving, synthetic materials system in a way that is reminiscent of repair-by-regrowth as seen in some living systems,” said Jeffry Moore, chemistry professor who worked on the research team.
The team uses a technique that they’ve dubbed “vascular delivery,” based on the way human veins deliver blood to vital organs.
“In this case, the liquid materials are two chemicals that flow into the gaps created by damage via parallel capillaries. These chemicals, inspired by the way blood coagulates in the open air, mix in the spaces to form a gel, which hardens into a strong polymer,” Moore told CNET. ”This restores the plastic’s structural integrity.”
Very interesting stuff…could this mean that one day we will just “heal” damaged bumpers or cracked smartphone screens? Maybe so.
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