SCIENCE
Material Shape-Shifters
At TechSmart, we love things that make us think. So materials that change their properties on cue are right up our alley.
Here are a few that are really switched on.
O
Handy Andy
il and water don’t mix, yet it’s darn difficult to separate
the two. But here’s a smart solution: scientists recently
developed a coating material that loves water but hates
oil. When applied to a wire mesh, the coating turns the mesh
into an efficient oil–water strainer that lets water drip through but
keeps oil behind. Afterwards the oily layer can be tipped off into a
separate container without fuss. The material can come in really
handy in cleaning up large-scale oil spills.
Gap stop
Plastic that fixes scratches can be found on the LG’s G Flex’s
cover, but scientists recently developed a type of plastic that
patches itself up after major damage, even with a hole running
through it. The material consists of a network of superthin tubes
filled with liquid patch materials. When damage occurs, two
adjoining tubes pump out their contents, which mix to form a gel
that quickly closes the gap. This allows more liquid patch solution
to seep into the nearby cracks before setting. The gel eventually
hardens into a polymer that is as hard as the original plastic.
Check out the video at bit.ly/1yQt3aJ
8
mm:
The diameter of the hole
that was successfully
patched up in the study
Bio-bone
Scientists recently developed a self-fitting sponge-like material
that can be used to fill bone gaps due to injuries or birth defects.
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