Centre for Electrochemical Technologies Has developed a self healing polimer with the help of its top researcher Ibon Odriozola.
This polimer is made out of soft plastic material that can heal itself within two hours of being cut in half.
The polymer needs no external catalyst to initiate its healing process, and so far the researchers have determined that it has a 97% success rate.
There are several problems that the researchers are still working on, for instance the polymer cannot successfully heal itself if it is cut in the same location more than once.
In addition to this, the polymer is currently soft, and Iban and his team are working on strengthening the substance so it can be used for construction purposes. once they achieve the appropriate strength for the polymer it is possible to create self healing objects.
Another important application for this research is the need to develop self healing skin for burn victims and even amputees with prosthetic limbs. This ability to self heal also grants the possibility of growing and adjusting skin substitute. It could even be used as padding for worn out joints.
One of the possibilities of this type of substance is related to 3D printing. What if once this polymer is developed to its fullest potential we can 3D print or even 4D print objects using this substance?
The vast application for this kind of self healing polymer can be revolutionary!
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