Self-Regenerating Polymer

Transmaterial has a post on a polymer that can repair itself – Self-Regenerating Polymer.

Researchers at Spain’s Center for Electrochemical Technologies (CIDETEC) have created a polymer capable of self-repairing at room temperature without the need of any catalysts or any external stimulus. After being cut in half, the material is able to regenerate itself in just two hours, fully recovering its mechanical properties.

This new polymer is based on a poly(urea-urethane) type composition, a material which is widely used in industry. As a result, it can be easily scaled-up—thus the new development is expected to reach commercial viability soon. Its discovery opens a wide range of industrial applications in the use plastic components, in both electrical and automotive sectors, as well as in construction and in the development of biomaterials.

The work, which was published in the journal Materials Horizons from the Royal Society of Chemistry, was developed in the framework of the SHINE European project, where IK4-CIDETEC participates as a partner in a consortium of various European companies, research centers and universities.

Researchers at Spain’s Center for Electrochemical Technologies (CIDETEC) have created a polymer capable of self-repairing at room temperature without the need of any catalysts or any external stimulus. After being cut in half, the material is able to regenerate itself in just two hours, fully recovering its mechanical properties.

4 Comments on "Self-Regenerating Polymer"

rollin on Sun, 17th Nov 2013 6:21 pm 



Plastic trees that grow and make electricity are next.

This is going to really mess up recycling, Every time the plastic is shredded it reforms into a giant solid ball.

Mike on Sun, 17th Nov 2013 6:49 pm 



You’re going to need a shit load of trees rollin and where you have trees you can’t have crops, just sayin.

It’s all about choice, the decision to have tv and a cell phone but die of hunger or to eat reasonably, talk to your neighbours and partake in the community . Pretty easy choice for me there.

BillT on Mon, 18th Nov 2013 1:14 am 



Insanity is rampant in the tech industry these days. We are not killing the planet fast enough to suit the techies. Now we have regenerating trash.

rollin on Mon, 18th Nov 2013 3:04 pm 



mike, I don’t need plastic trees. It was a sardonic joke, I guess you missed it. Maybe the giant ball of plastic should have been a hint.
Anyway, plastic trees could grow on all those abandoned mall lots and buildings.
🙂
One of the big things I don’t like about this technology is that is has to form reactive terminal units on the polymer to “regrow”. I wonder what all those reactive molecules will do to the environment.