Wild orangutan engaged in never-before-seen wound-healing behavior

For the first time ever, a wild male orangutan in Sumatra has been spotted tending to a wound on his face in an ingenious way. The technique worked, adding even more cred to the intelligence of this striking and endangered species of great ape.Continue… Continue reading Wild orangutan engaged in never-before-seen wound-healing behavior

Self-healing concrete patches up cracks with dormant bacteria

Concrete may seem strong and permanent, but it can be surprisingly vulnerable to the elements. Now researchers at Drexel University have demonstrated a type of self-healing concrete embedded with “BioFibers” that use bacteria to patch up cracks as they… Continue reading Self-healing concrete patches up cracks with dormant bacteria

Impressive new plastic self-heals, can be recycled and feeds marine life

Japanese scientists have developed a new type of plastic that’s strong at room temperature, but can be easily broken down on demand into its base components. In seawater, it starts to break down into food for marine life, and just to top it off, it can… Continue reading Impressive new plastic self-heals, can be recycled and feeds marine life

Metal found spontaneously healing itself like human skin

It’s long been assumed that when a metal structure like a bridge or an engine develops a crack, it will only get worse over time. But that might not be the case, based on what researchers have just observed happening in a tiny piece of platinum.Continu… Continue reading Metal found spontaneously healing itself like human skin

Self-healing conductive gel could make “soft robots” truly soft

In order to reach their full potential, soft robotic devices can’t just consist of rigid electronic components encased in squishy rubber. A new material could help in that regard, as it’s soft, self-healing and electrically conductive.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Self-healing conductive gel could make “soft robots” truly soft

New anti-corrosion polymer highlights damage, self-heals and is recyclable

Engineers at ETH Zurich have developed a versatile new material that should help in the ongoing battle against corrosion for buildings and vehicles. The polymer coating not only protects against corrosion, but highlights cracks as they form, automatica… Continue reading New anti-corrosion polymer highlights damage, self-heals and is recyclable

Sludge-filled capsules could allow concrete sewage pipes to self-heal

Concrete sewage pipes lead a hard life, constantly being exposed to corrosive acid produced by bacteria in wastewater. A new additive could allow such concrete to self-heal – and it would do so using water treatment sludge.Continue ReadingCategory: Mat… Continue reading Sludge-filled capsules could allow concrete sewage pipes to self-heal

Self-healing coating repairs car scratches with 30 minutes of sunlight

Finding a scratch on your car is a special kind of heartbreak, but in the future they might be gone before you even notice. Scientists in Korea have developed a coating that self-heals scratches in as little as 30 minutes when exposed to sunlight.Conti… Continue reading Self-healing coating repairs car scratches with 30 minutes of sunlight

“CareGum” could boost rehabilitative tech and nonverbal communications

An experimental new material could help rehabilitate the injured and allow the nonspeaking to “speak,” among other potential uses. It’s also highly elastic, electrically conductive and self-healing – and it’s known as CareGum.Continue ReadingCategory: … Continue reading “CareGum” could boost rehabilitative tech and nonverbal communications

Heat-healing carbon fiber could be easily repaired and recycled

Although carbon fiber can be repaired and recycled to a certain extent, it’s typically just discarded once it’s damaged. According to a recent study, however, a new type of the material can be easily fixed or reused through the simple application of he… Continue reading Heat-healing carbon fiber could be easily repaired and recycled