The Grainger College of Engineering

Regenerating plastic

5/8/2014

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Popular Mechanics (May 8) -- Illinois researchers have developed materials that not only heal, but regenerate. Until now, self-repairing materials could only bond tiny microscopic cracks. The new regenerating materials fill in large cracks and holes by regrowing material. Inspired by nature, Scott White, Nancy Sottos, and their colleagues invented a restorative material is delivered through two, isolated fluid streams. The supportive yet porous gel that the two liquids form is reminiscent of a blood clot. And like a blood clot, this ability allows the repair fluids to reach damaged sites while not bleeding out before they can solidify in place. Also: Science (original journal article, May 9), Phys.Org (May 8), New Scientist (May 8), Chemistry World (May 8), Science News (May 8), ScienceBlog (May 8), e! Science News (May 8), ASEE FirstBell (May 9), R&D Magazine (May 9), Nanowerk (May 8), Zee News (India, May 9), Times of India (May 9), Science World Report (May 9), Financial Express (India, May 9), Jagran Post (India, May 9), BBC News (May 9), Geekosystem.com (May 9), Gizmodo India (May 9), Plastemart.com (May 9), Highly Cited (May 8), Nature.com (May 8), CNet (May 8), ANI News (May 9), Plastics Today (May 2), Red Orbit (April 16), Nature World News (May 9), Ubergizmo (May 8), Business Standard (India, May 9), Opposing Views (May 9), Tech Fragments (May 11), The Blaze (May 9), China Topix (May 12), Laboratory Equipment (May 9), Engadget (New York City, May 11), Daily Mail (London, May 9), E&T Magazine (Stevenage, England, May 9), Inernational Science Times (New York City, May 9), Malaysia Sun (Sydney, May 11), Science 2.0 (Reno, Nev., May 10), Times of India (from Indo-Asian News Service, New Delhi, May 9), Nova Next (PBS, May 9), Voice of America (May 9), Discovery News (May 11), International Business Times (May 9), EarthSky (Austin, Texas, May 12), Engineering.com (Mississauga, Ontario, May 14), Smithsonian (May 22), The Wall Street Journal (May 23), The Weather Network (Oakville, Ontario, May 23).

Illinois researchers have developed materials that not only heal, but regenerate. Until now, self-repairing materials could only bond tiny microscopic cracks. The new regenerating materials fill in large cracks and holes by regrowing material. Led by professor Scott White, the research team comprises professors Jeffry S. Moore and Nancy Sottos and graduate students Brett Krull, Windy Santa Cruz and Ryan Gergely. They report their work in the May 9 issue of the journal Science. - See more at: http://engineering.illinois.edu/news/news-list.html#sthash.aIpUaaNa.dpuf

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This story was published May 8, 2014.