Takuzo Aida and his team from the University of Tokyo, Japan, have hit upon a novel method of manufacturing plastics from clay, sodium polyacrylate and glue. If such a practice becomes popular, it could lessen our dependence on oil for making plastic. Where sodium polyacrylate serves as the thickening agent, the molecular glue provides the non-oil-based plastic with elasticity.
self repairing hydrogel
Process, put in plain words:
One of the primary breakthroughs is the overall simplicity of the procedure coupled with the exceptional physical properties of the final assemblies. Toughness, self-healing and robustness are just some of the initial physical properties that will be found for this new class of materials.
Craig Hawker, University of California, Santa Barbara.
The mixture, that is almost 98 percent water, transforms into an elastic hydrogel in less than three minutes. When clay is exposed to the thickening agent, the surface area of the former is increased. The supramolecular forces cause water molecules to affix to the clay sheets and allow the mixture to regain its strength if it fails to obtain essential elasticity. More quantity of material means more strength of the hydrogel.
Via: NewScientist
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