Researchers Develop Regenerating Plastic That Grows Back After Sustaining Damage
Posted on May 16, 2014
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed regenerating plastic that grows back after sustaining damage. The regenerating materials can fill in large holes and cracks by regrowing material. The restorative material is delivered through two, isolated fluid streams (dyed red and blue in the above image). The liquid immediately gels and later hardens. The researchers say the regenerating plastic would be great for commercial products, such as a damaged car bumper.
The research team was led by Professor Scott White and include professors Jeffrey S. Moore and Nancy Sottos. Moore, Sottos and White also are affiliated with the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. U of I graduate students Brett Krull, Windy Santa Cruz and Ryan Gergely were also part of the research term. The research was published here in the journal, Science.
White says in a statement, "For the first time, we've shown that you can regenerate lost material in a structural polymer. That's the kicker here, Prior to this work, if you cut off a piece of material, it's gone. Now we've shown that the material can actually regrow."
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