Scientists Have Developed Glass That Heals Itself When You Press It Together

Megalith

Megalith

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Japanese scientists have developed a new type of glass that can self-heal, fusing itself back together when it cracks. Unlike other self-healing materials, which require heat to perform their bonding behavior, this glass functions at room temperature. It also repairs itself faster than other materials out there.

The self-healing polymer, created by researchers at the University of Tokyo, was initially discovered by accident while they were studying new adhesives. During the research, one of the team noticed that the polymer he was examining for use as a glue had the ability to adhere to itself when cut, compressed, and held together for 30 seconds at room temperature.
 
This could be really important for submarines (and no, I'm not kidding). Glass is considered a prime building material for deep sea submersibles (I think it's currently used for sonar sensors which go well below 20,000 ft.). A self healing variety--obviously it would be better if it could be tweaked to heal at the lower temperature of the deep ocean)...but I'm sure all the bright guys will have already figured this out.
 
heals is a pretty optimistic term.

it looks like it's been super glued together.

the crack is very much still visible.
 
This isnt glass, its a polymer. They should stop calling it glass.
How strong is it and how strong are the healed bonds?

Self healing is great but when the cracks are still visible its not for applications like a phone screen or windows.
Looks like there is a bit of work to be done before it can be used as glass replacement.
Nice find but its not what they are claiming.
 
pretty sure that is brick wax and you can smoke it. that sheet sticks to everything
 
Great, phone made of turd jello. Camping overnight on the street to scalp one, priceless...
 
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