A team of researchers from Bournemouth University has developed a new type of plastic that can heal itself after being cracked or broken. The plastic, which contains nanosheets of MXene, a material that strengthens plastics, has a healing agent attached to it. When the plastic is broken and exposed to humidity, the healing agent becomes active and bonds the broken sections back together, restoring the plastic to 96% of its original strength. This breakthrough has the potential to greatly reduce plastic waste and extend the life of various products, including reusable drink bottles, mobile phones, and pipes. The team is now working on designing devices that can repair themselves, including sensors that can detect human motion and self-repair after being damaged. This technology could pave the way for new-generation electronics that require minimal maintenance and last longer. The researchers believe that their findings could have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability.
Scientists at British institutions pioneer development of self-healing plastic materials
