Researchers from the University of California, riverside have created a material for coating displays of smart phones, able to recover from scratches and mechanical damage. Reported by Business Insider.
The basis material is non-covalent type of communication, known as ion-dipole interaction. Thus, if it is damaged or broken, ions and molecules are attracted to each other, restoring the surface.
The researchers conducted a series of tests that showed the ability of a material to recover after applying the scratches and cuts. It is argued that if it to break in half, the two halves of the material connects in less than 24 hours.
According to the report, the material has the ability to expand up to 50 times the original length. If it is damaged or broken, ions and molecules are attracted to each other, restoring the surface.
Scientists believe that self-healing glass for smartphones will arrive on the market in the next three years.
“It may seem that self-healing materials could be applied only in the distant future, but I’m sure they will soon appear in mobile phones. Within three years they will arrive on the market and will change our everyday life,” said van.
According to scientists, during the development of the material they were inspired by the comics character Wolverine, who also has the ability to regenerate.