The students, undergraduates at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, devised the idea as part of an engineering contest sponsored by the French materials company Saint-Gobain—and took first prize last week. The objective was to use simple materials to create a novel product.
"So we were putzing around with different ideas and things we wanted to work with—and we were like, what's a common, everyday problem all around the world that everybody hates?" explains 21-year-old team member Curtis Obert. "And we landed on potholes." He and four other students decided on a non-Newtonian fluid as a solution because of its unusual physical properties. "When there's no force being applied to it, it flows like a liquid does and fills in the holes," says Obert, "but when it gets run over, it acts like a solid."
What? Don't believe us? Check out this video clip of people walking on water in a pool filled with non-Newtonian liquid.
Comments (2)
S.O.F.T.!?
Also, the direction of motion would need to be picked with some care. In most of the shown applications, the convex leading edge is moving in such a way as to create an on-going pinch hazard with the static side of the escalator. If something (foot, clothing, shopping bag, etc) were set there and brushed the side of the escalator, it would be pushed back until it wedged between the side of the escalator and the step. Maintenance and possible pain with lawsuit ensue.
Lastly, in some applications the ability to reverse the escalator is desired. For instance, at stadiums, train stations and other locations where there is a tidal flow of people (rush hour, before the game and after it, etc), where it wouldn't be practical.
Still a very cool idea. Very creative and great to see someone thinking about these things!