Self-heal glass – New-year gift from Japanese scientists
Glass is one of the most ancient materials, universal in the human practice. However, most types of glass, used in daily life, are fragile. The broken favorite cup, vase, headlight or broken smartphone display cause a chagrin. But, it seems, the discovery by Japanese scientists will save us from these inconveniences.
Researchers from Tokyo University have developed a new type of polymer glass, having the property of full self-healing. The discovery was made by accident.
Initially, Yu Yanagisawa, the graduate student, who conducted the experiment, intended to receive the innovative adhesive-based rubbery polymer. But, during the experiment he noticed that the plates of polymer are glued together in 30 seconds after slightly pressed.
Then the researchers have decided to expand the experience and made the glass of this unique polymer. The glass was broken in two parts and after a couple of hours it is completely regenerated. It is noteworthy that the recovery process occurred at room temperature without the traditional melting.
"I hope the repairable glass becomes a new environment-friendly material that avoids the need to be thrown away if broken," said Yanagisawa in an interview with Japanese TV channel NHK.
