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Nature 451, 895-896 (21 February 2008) | doi:10.1038/451895a; Published online 20 February 2008
Materials science: The gift of healing
Justin L. Mynar1 & Takuzo Aida1
Abstract
Synthesis of a rubber-like material that can be recycled might not seem exciting. But one that can also repeatedly repair itself at room temperature, without adhesives, really stretches the imagination.
When the Spanish conquistadores first witnessed the Aztec game played with a bouncing rubber ball, they thought that such balls must be possessed by evil spirits. Imagine their reaction if, on cutting the ball in half, it was made as good as new simply by pressing the two halves together without heat or adhesives.
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RESEARCH
Self-healing and thermoreversible rubber from supramolecular assemblyNature Letters to Editor (21 Feb 2008)