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Self-Healing Rubber May Lead to Crack-Proof Roads
The science journal Nature reports that some enterprising French scientists have come up with a revolutionary new rubber that 'heals' itself when broken.
According to the Nature article, the science behind it is fairly simple: "In striking contrast to conventional cross-linked or thermoreversible rubbers made of macromolecules, these systems, when broken or cut, can be simply repaired by bringing together fractured surfaces to self-heal at room temperature."
Right. We didn't quite get that either, but it sounds as though the rubber is joined by hydrogen bonds that get 'lonely' when they are broken, so they seek out new bonds. Et voilà, presto-fix-oh.
The scientists have teamed with chemicals manufacturer Arkema to roll out the technology for everyday applications. By mixing the 'lonely heart' rubber with asphalt, they may be able to create crack-proof roads, for example. We're sure they'll be able to come up with more inventive applications, but until then, we think that taking care of potholes ain't half bad. [From: Esquire.com via Nature]
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Comments
3
Subscribe to commentsTJDec 4th 2008 12:52PM
Other applications (off the top of my head):
- Rubber bands that you can break open, encircle an object, and then re-connect the rubber band. Also wouldn't succumb to cracking over time.
- Improved tread life on tires
- Serpentine belts that never crack and break
- If it can be made cheaply into large sheets, could be used for cheap, easy, and effective roofs for temporary shelters and/or third world countries.
- Non-cracking rubber epoxy for sealing/filling cracks in homes.
- A 1in diameter tube of this would be perfect for cable conduit. Rip it open at the top, feed the cables in, let it zip itself up as you go along.
Jon NelsonDec 4th 2008 3:55PM
Good god do we need this in Michigan.
TVGeniusDec 4th 2008 4:02PM
Yeah, I'm sure this would fly here in AZ, where the air temp gets over 120˚. As it is, our main intersection in town has 4" ruts where the cars stop for red lights, and after the light turns green you can see the imprints of the tires' tread in the asphalt when the first few cars leave.