Researchers Create Self-Repairing Rubber

A weaker hydrogen bond can quickly re-attach tears

By Gregory Mone Posted 02.22.2008 at 12:27 pm 3 Comments

Self-healing Rubber A thin strip cut into two re-attaches itself François Tournilhac and Ludwik Leibler ESPCI/CNRS, Paris, France

Scientists at the Ecole Superieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles in Sheboygan, Wisconsin—wait, I mean Paris, France—have created a new kind of rubber that can bind back together after being broken in two.

The material is in part a mix of vegetable oil and a derivative of urine; the magic comes in the bonds between the molecules which make it up. The scientists switched from strong covalent bonds to weaker hydrogen ones, which enable the quick repair. The stuff is a lot like normal rubber in that it can be stretched to several times its normal length, but if you cut it in half, then hold it together for a few minutes, it’s restored to its original state, and you can bend and pull it again like regular rubber.

Scientists envision numerous applications, including clothes that repair themselves after ripping, self-healing cartilage and even unbreakable children’s toys. The work is described in the latest issue of the journal Nature.

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3 Comments

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gayasstechie

02/22/08 at 1:51 pm

I'm just going to say it. Condoms condoms condoms!

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MrsDiscoveryChnl

02/24/08 at 9:28 pm

Hum, I could think of a lot of ways this could be used for. I mean think of the possiblites. It can be used in the medical field, science, culinary, even teaching. Every day uses could come out of that.

Rubber bands that could be used over and over.

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Volt

11/16/09 at 10:35 pm

The possibilities of this are endless. Bandages could be wrapped around a wound and would turn into one solid band. Kevlar 2.0 for bullet proof vests. Indestructible tires.

If adapted to other materials, the technology could produce patches for spaceships. Springs and paints would also be made better as microfractures would heal themselves. This would save cities countless amounts of money repairing rusty beams on bridges and other structures. Really, any amorphous solid could likely use this technology, perhaps even glass, allowing windshields to heal after being hit by a rock. That one would be unlikely, but would be wonderful if implemented.

I could go on, but the uses of this are endless, so let's just leave it at that.