Plastic That Can Heal Itself.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created a plastic that can literally heal itself. This unique plastic works similarly to human skin (but faster). When a crack forms, a liquid healing agent is released from tiny channels within the plastic to fill the crack, then hardens due to contact with the top layer of the plastic.

The goal is to use this new polymer for implantable medical devices and computer cooling components, although I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they’ll follow up with cell phones that heal themselves after being dropped. Link [Technology Review]