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Smart Rubber Promises Self-Mending Products

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the we've-heard-it-all-before dept.

An anonymous reader writes "French scientists have developed a new rubber that can heal itself after being cut or broken. If two broken ends of the material are pushed together, and left for an hour, they join to become just as stretchy as before. There is even a video of the supposed creation in action. 'Regular rubber gets its strength from the fact that long chains of polymer molecules are coupled, or "crosslinked," in three different ways: through covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonding between molecules. Of these three bond types, only the hydrogen bonds can be remade once a material is fractured, although normally there are not enough hydrogen bonds for the rubber to re-couple in this way. The solution devised by Leibler and colleagues is to simply get rid of the ionic and covalent bonds. They developed a transparent, yellowy-brown rubber in which crosslinking is performed only by hydrogen bonds.'"

122 comments

  1. Odd by geek · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Wouldn't removing the other two types of bonds make it naturally more likely to break to begin with? My chem background isnt great, maybe someone could break it down for me.

    1. Re:Odd by NoData · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes.

      The article mentions that this rubber is weaker than most to begin with for just that reason.

    2. Re:Odd by quanminoan · · Score: 2, Interesting
      From TFA:

      The downside is that getting rid of covalent and ionic bonding means the material is weaker than regular rubber.

      Regular polymers can be made very strong from covalent bonds (polycarbonates, polysulfones). Making a very strong polymer requires quite a lot of covalent bonds, and creates a very strong material that lacks tensile strength. The problem with almost all polymers in engineering applications is two things: creep and degradation. The "creep" part is when the polymer chains, loaded with some force, start to slip and rearrange themselves. This has to be taken into account in many applications, unless you're designing commodity applications such as trash bags, etc. The degradation problem is also largely unavoidable and occurs when these bonds are broken, whether it be from radiation (sunlight, UV, etc.), chemical attack (acids, ozone..). This material lacks these susceptible bonds creating a material that is much weaker, but also much more reliable in the long run. TFA states some potential applications:

      The material could eventually make it a cinch to repair holes in shoes, snapped fan belts and punctured kitchen gloves. It might also make strange new products possible - for instance bags that can be ripped open and then resealed. "You don't need a zip when you can make a resealable hole in it," Leibler says.

    3. Re:Odd by ShieldW0lf · · Score: 5, Funny

      This is so stupid.

      Even if you did have a rubber that repaired itself, it still wouldn't really be sanitary to use it.

      --
      -1 Uncomfortable Truth
    4. Re:Odd by palegray.net · · Score: 3, Funny

      Might be a good defense against a girlfriend or wife who decides to go poking pinholes in your rubbers, though... ;)

      --
      512 MB RAM, 20 GB disk, 200 GB transfer, five datacenters. $19.95/month.
    5. Re:Odd by squidfood · · Score: 1

      The downside is that getting rid of covalent and ionic bonding means the material is weaker than regular rubber.

      So how is this stuff different from Silly Putty?

    6. Re:Odd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      If I understand the article correctly, this substance is actually quite sensible!

    7. Re:Odd by orionop · · Score: 1

      The 'self-healing' rubber will not as strong as regular rubber, due to the fact, as you pointed out, that they are removing the ionic and covalent bonding between the molecules. The summary of this article is very bad though... It makes it out that they have removed all covalent and ionic bonding although that can not be the case, because that is what makes up a molecule and distinguishes it from other materials. The must have made the rubber in such a way that the molecules do not bond together making poly-molecules (as in PVC which turns vinyl chloride from a material that has no strength as a gas, into the very useful material we are all familiar with) but rather individual molecules that have many hydrogen dipoles that make it stick together. The effect is very similar to water, which has has a good bit of hydrogen bonding going on and keep water as a liquid up to 100 degrees celsius when many other molecules that size will be gases even at extremely low temperatures. Hydrogen bonding is very easily broken and reformed, partly do to how weak it is in comparison to other forms of bonding, but it works very well for this type of application.

    8. Re:Odd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Non-vulcanized natural rubber kinda does this already. Or at least that's what my experiments with the gummy eraser seem to indicate. I wonder what the difference with their version is.

    9. Re:Odd by nusuth · · Score: 1
      The "creep" part is when the polymer chains, loaded with some force, start to slip and rearrange themselves. This has to be taken into account in many applications, unless you're designing commodity applications such as trash bags, etc. ... This material lacks these susceptible bonds creating a material that is much weaker, but also much more reliable in the long run.

      I don't see why this material will not be susceptible to creep. Creep is not a consequence of existence polymer chains. Quite the contrary, creep is a restricted flow where restriction is due to existence of polymer chains keeping constituents where they are. When the constituents are easier to move around, due to weaker interactions between them, creep should be worse.

      --

      Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the War Room!

    10. Re:Odd by quanminoan · · Score: 1

      I didn't mean to say this wouldn't be susceptible to creep - all polymers are to one degree or another susceptible to creep. You're right that in this case creep should be more pronounced. The degradation, of course, I would expect to be far less....

  2. Finally Recycling For The Common Man by milsoRgen · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can finally join the green revolution by reusing all those busted condoms from my over zealous love making sessions.

    --
    I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask where they're goin' and hook up with 'em later.
    1. Re:Finally Recycling For The Common Man by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, recycling any material with mens fecal matter on it would be unhygienic.

  3. Rubber by VRisaMetaphor · · Score: 1

    I can't wait an hour when my rubber breaks :(

    1. Re:Rubber by milsoRgen · · Score: 1

      Buy a pack of six and rotate my man!

      --
      I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask where they're goin' and hook up with 'em later.
    2. Re:Rubber by gnick · · Score: 2, Funny

      Buy a pack of six and rotate my man! I think it may spoil the mood when you tell your partner, "Hold on, baby, I just need to get something out of my used-condom drawer."
      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    3. Re:Rubber by milsoRgen · · Score: 1

      Whoa there Mr. Upperclass, I don't think any of us /.er's would use a drawer. The floor around the bed would work just fine...

      --
      I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask where they're goin' and hook up with 'em later.
    4. Re:Rubber by gnick · · Score: 1

      Wow - you just topped me and solved the problem preemptively. By strategically placing your used rubbers on the floor around the bed, you make sure that you're never stuck in a situation in which you may sleep with the kind of woman that would object to used rubbers. Pure genius.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    5. Re:Rubber by iamhassi · · Score: 1

      "I can't wait an hour when my rubber breaks :("

      why not? You're on /., you're not having sex with anyone anyway.

      --
      my karma will be here long after I'm gone
    6. Re:Rubber by st1d · · Score: 2, Funny

      Amateurs! Just stick 'em to the wall or headboard when you're done. Then you don't even need to break the mood while you grab one. And nothing turns a woman on more than a row of used condoms flapping against her face during the act. Especially the ones that have been used enough that there's a distinct "thump" from dried remnants of past occasions. Nothing says you care about your lovers more than having them labeled and arranged in alphabetical order by name, either.

      Of course, this is Slashdot, so maybe putting your own name on them might make you look a little egotistic! :)

      --
      Microsoft has just released their much anticipated hands-free cordless mouse. Warning, it may hurt a little at first.
    7. Re:Rubber by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      LMFAO!
      One of the best Slashdot threads that I've read in a LONG time

  4. I have a bad feeling about this by CRCulver · · Score: 1

    I fear a race of rubber killing machines, impervious to all our military resources due to their T-1000-like ability to split and remeld.

    1. Re:I have a bad feeling about this by infonography · · Score: 1

      I fear a race of rubber killing machines, impervious to all our military resources due to their T-1000-like ability to split and remeld. I am going to discount the welcome to our new reformable rubber overlords jokes and remind you of a movie called THE BLOB
      --
      Sorry about the writing. Robot fingers, you know? Cliff Steele in DOOM PATROL #23
    2. Re:I have a bad feeling about this by Jesus_666 · · Score: 1

      Yeah. They might not seem dangerous as of yet, but they are a very good argument against standardizing on an 0.016 RPM firing rate in the future.

      --
      USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
  5. WhatEVER by TobyRush · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah, and Smart Rubber also promised it'd return my Criminal Minds Season 2 DVDs and stop eating all the Grape Nuts. And we know how well THAT panned out...

    --
    Sam! If you will let me be,
    I will try them.
    You will see.
    1. Re:WhatEVER by insertwackynamehere · · Score: 1

      i loled i wish i had mod points

  6. It's The Shit by nick_davison · · Score: 5, Funny

    The material is synthesised from fatty acids and urea. And if this isn't an argument why adding fiber to your diet is important, nothing'll convince you.
    1. Re:It's The Shit by TWX · · Score: 1

      Sounds like a good thing if you want to bounce back from illness or injury...

      --
      Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  7. I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by Will+the+Chill · · Score: 4, Interesting

    because if you watch the video they double the speed of the post-healing stretch, and it's still _really_ slow. With only the video to go on, it seems like this could just as easily be some silly putty or elmers glue + liquid starch.

    Of course, if it's true that you can create self-healing rubber by removing the ionic and covalent bonds, leaving only the hydrogen bonds, my next question is obvious:

    How many times can this material "heal" itself before suffering internal structure deficiencies?

    If it could mend itself an infinite number of times and retain perfect structural integrity, that would truly be a modern miracle of science with untold practical applications.

    Can you say self-mending tires, shoe soles, etc?

    -WtC

    *sig inserted by hand to frustrate sig purists*

    --
    Creator of RPerl, Scouter, Juggler, Mormon, Perl Monger, Serial Entrepreneur, Aspiring Astrophysicist, Community Organiz
    1. Re:I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by evanbd · · Score: 2, Insightful

      My guess would be "lots" since the H bonds don't "wear out". Normal polymers wear out by occasionally having covalent bonds break, which then don't repair.

      On the flip side, this probably exhibits "cold flow" -- if you put it under tension, it will slowly and permanently deform. Over short time spans, it will be elastic, over long spans it will deform. For many applications that won't matter, but for some it will make it completely unusable.

    2. Re:I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by Will+the+Chill · · Score: 0

      Obviously this won't make very good tires or shoes if it permanently deforms over time.

      So I guess they're going to have to find some complementary substrate that can be mixed in with the self-mending rubber to give it:

      1) more short-term elasticity
      2) more long-term form retention
      3) higher durability

      I'm thinking something like small chunks of normal'ish rubber mixed in with the self-mending rubber in a ratio/manner that maximizes the healing properties while minimizing the weakness and other drawbacks.

      -WtC

      *sig performing self-mending process, will be ready in 1 hour*

      --
      Creator of RPerl, Scouter, Juggler, Mormon, Perl Monger, Serial Entrepreneur, Aspiring Astrophysicist, Community Organiz
    3. Re:I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      I'm skeptical, because the article says:

      The downside is that getting rid of covalent and ionic bonding means the material is weaker than regular rubber.
      I'd assume when you cut the rubber, you probably break some of the long chains of molecule. Even if you don't damage them, there's still a section that isn't crossed by chains and only held by bonds.

      Can you say self-mending tires, shoe soles, etc?

      Can you see having an old shoe fused onto your tire? Yuck.
    4. Re:I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by Assassin+bug · · Score: 1

      Maybe I am missing something, but even as it is it seems potentially useful for self-healing bicycle inner tubes. For example, perhaps you could use a layer of this h-bond rubber in conjunction with an only covalently-bonded rubber layer in some mesh pattern that would add some contracting force to the inner tube. Then when a sharp object does make it through the tube the cov-bonded rubber can act as a force to hold the puncture together. Maybe the "healing" reaction can be short with the application of heat?

    5. Re:I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by rhizome · · Score: 1

      Can you say self-mending tires, shoe soles, etc?

      No, but I can say, "self-mending things-that-don't-need-mending-often."

      --
      When I was a kid, we only had one Darth.
    6. Re:I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by Nazlfrag · · Score: 1

      I'd assume when you cut the rubber, you probably break some of the long chains of molecule. IANAC, but I doubt any other molecular bonds are broken, the long chains are only held by hydrogen bonds which would give way far sooner than other bonds. The tear will be along the path of least resistance unless it was exceptionally violent. Perhaps explosives could break it *rubs hands together while eyes gleam*
    7. Re:I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by ArsenneLupin · · Score: 1

      My guess would be "lots" since the H bonds don't "wear out". The H-bonds don't wear out, but surfaces tend to get dusty, ever so slightly. So each time it tears, small particles of dust (or droplets of white liquid, hehe...) deposit on the fresh cut, and get "incorporated" into the rubber as it mends itself. The more this happens, the weaker the rubber gets.
    8. Re:I'm skeptical, yet hopeful... by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 1

      The material wouldn't be strong enough for those sorts of applications. The abrasion with the ground, if nothing else, would quickly wear down the material...Self healing wouldn't apply when floored the gas and left half your tire in a patch of rubber on the ground. Likewise tennis shoes...Their wear is less to do with broken bonds, and more to do with abrasion, and softer rubber would be more vulnerable to abrasion.

      Wonder what it does to it's melting point, and flammability? Seems like if you treated the rubber with any of the usual chemicals used to produce a more fire-resistant product, you'd kill the self-healing properties. Seems like the best use might be for some of the cold-weather applications where standard rubber becomes too brittle to be used effectively.

      --
      ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
  8. Not necessarily by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 3, Insightful
    A diamond only has C bonds.

    It isn't just the number of bonds but the strength of those bonds.

    --
    Engineering is the art of compromise.
  9. Funny... by raving+griff · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...because recently, for a school project, I needed to find some print sources of chemistry in the news. All I had on-hand was an issue of Popular Science, and it had an article on this invention. The catch? The issue was from 2001.

  10. realdoll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Millions of RealDoll owners rejoice.

  11. No more condom breakage. by WGFCrafty · · Score: 1

    Now, in the middle of intercourse if your condom tears, your still safe. YOUR CONDOM IS FIXING ITSELF!!!

    1. Re:No more condom breakage. by WGFCrafty · · Score: 1

      Nevermind, I guess for this to work you and your partner must lay static for an hour.

    2. Re:No more condom breakage. by RingDev · · Score: 4, Funny

      I don't think I can think about baseball for an hour while it repairs itself though...

      -Rick

      --
      "Most people in the U.S. wouldn't know they live in a tyrannical state if it walked up and grabbed their junk." - MyFirs
    3. Re:No more condom breakage. by st1d · · Score: 3, Funny

      This is /. Static partners aren't a problem.

      --
      Microsoft has just released their much anticipated hands-free cordless mouse. Warning, it may hurt a little at first.
    4. Re:No more condom breakage. by m1ndrape · · Score: 1, Funny

      out the way! to hell with your mom! there's plenty of us to get to your kin (mom, sister, or brother (it is the 21st century)) before the rest of the team does!

      --
      Donald Ray Moore Jr. (mindrape)
      Suspected Terrorist
    5. Re:No more condom breakage. by insertwackynamehere · · Score: 1

      Now if only they invented self-mending grammar and spelling. Spell check, they could call it.








      I' m sorry I had too lol :P

    6. Re:No more condom breakage. by untaken_name · · Score: 1

      I've always wondered why they don't call it a 'spelling checker' instead of a 'spell checker'. Maybe the 'grammatical checker' should have been invented first.

      --
      http://xkcd.com/386/
  12. Like a talking frog! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "If two broken ends of the material are pushed together, and left for an hour, they join to become just as stretchy as before. There is even a video of the supposed creation in action."

    First off, what good is it if I have to stop stretching the rubber for an hour to push the broken ends together? If I've already lost my wood, either the damage has already been done, or there's not much point in continuing.

    Second, this thread is JUST FINE without video.

    Thirdly, thank God I'm a Slashdotter who'll never have to worry about point #1 or #2, and will therefore never benefit from this technology, but much like the talking frog, the materials science is pretty cool!

    (Talking frog? Yeah. As in, once upon a time, an engineer was walking along a road and spied a frog. The frog said "I'm actually a beautiful princess! Kiss me and I'll make it up to you by having sex with you every night, in any position you want, for the rest of my life!" The engineer put the frog in his pocket and walked on. "I don't have time for all that sex. But a talking frog is pretty cool!")

  13. This is /. by EmbeddedJanitor · · Score: 5, Funny

    You've been misinformed. You don't need a condom for masturbation.

    --
    Engineering is the art of compromise.
    1. Re:This is /. by milsoRgen · · Score: 5, Funny

      You've been misinformed. You don't need a condom for masturbation. Don't underestimate the energy savings from not having to constantly wash your tube socks.
      --
      I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask where they're goin' and hook up with 'em later.
    2. Re:This is /. by dmsuperman · · Score: 1

      For the first time ever reading a /. comment, I actually laughed out loud for this one. You sir, deserve applause.

      --
      :(){ :|:& };: Go!
    3. Re:This is /. by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

      Wow. I just annihilated my keyboard by spitting my drink all over it.

    4. Re:This is /. by Artuir · · Score: 0

      So all you'd need to do is create a device to transfer the heat from said tube sock to power for their computer. There would be an immediate decrease in the load (heh heh) on power plants in major cities by 50%!

    5. Re:This is /. by milsoRgen · · Score: 1

      But I'm more concerned with the energy used to wash said sock, as we all know extended use leads to abrasive build up of dried genetic material.

      --
      I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask where they're goin' and hook up with 'em later.
  14. Cindy will be so happy! by urcreepyneighbor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cindy, my air-filled life companion, will be relieved to hear of this development.

    We have been plagued by punctures and tears for years. Neither of us have been satisfied with the make-do fix of duct tape and latex.

    Thank you, science!

    --
    "The fight for freedom has only just begun." - Geert Wilders
    1. Re:Cindy will be so happy! by somersault · · Score: 1, Funny

      You don't want to be fusing her with too much smart rubber, or she'll start noticing how you guys never seem to go out anymore, and how she never gets to go on top.

      --
      which is totally what she said
    2. Re:Cindy will be so happy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You might not thank science in a few years.. this stuff will probably be used as skin for the T-600! Fortunately, this makes them easy to spot.

    3. Re:Cindy will be so happy! by JonathanR · · Score: 1

      We have been plagued by punctures and tears for years You're not supposed to cry over spilt milk...
    4. Re:Cindy will be so happy! by ediron2 · · Score: 1

      Not so fast, commander airbag. You did see the part where you have to press the torn parts together and... and... *hold* them together for an hour?

      Yup. You'll now be expected to cuddle your companion after sex.

    5. Re:Cindy will be so happy! by urcreepyneighbor · · Score: 1

      You'll now be expected to cuddle your companion after sex. Who said I didn't?
      --
      "The fight for freedom has only just begun." - Geert Wilders
  15. This is madness. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    This time so-called "scientific progress" has gone too far. This shameless disregard for ionic and covalent bonds is unnatural and degrading to us all. Ionic and covalent bonds play a crucial role in vital processes of nature. They are found everywhere, from humble table salt, to the very carbon rings that are the basis of all life.

    And now arrogant man sees fit to sacrifice these noble bonds for what, I ask? For a "self-healing rubber" of all things? This is a travesty. I hope all people who love and cherish our universe and the laws of nature will boycott this abominable substance.

    1. Re:This is madness. by Jumphard · · Score: 1

      Madness?

      This.
      Is.
      Sparta!!

  16. Yes necessarily by NoData · · Score: 2, Informative

    Carbon-carbon bonds are highly covalent and exceptionally strong. Ionic bonds are weaker and hydrogen bonds are weaker still. So, yes, necessarily this rubber is weaker. It's not the fact that it has less variety of bonding, it's the fact the sort of bonding it's left with is weak (comparatively).

    1. Re:Yes necessarily by blair1q · · Score: 3, Informative

      No primordial soup for you.

      In general, ionic bonds (i.e., bonds with high ionic character) are stronger than covalent bonds (i.e., bonds with low or no ionic character), simply because they are in fact the same thing, except that a difference in electron affinity causes a dipole moment to be generated, which adds electrical potential to quantum potential of the bond.

      The larger the difference in electronegativity (or electron affinity, however you want to measure it), and the shorter the internuclear distance, the stronger the ionic force of the bond.

      It just so happens that the quantum effect in a carbon-carbon bond is pretty strong in the first place, so there aren't many bonds, even those high in ionic character, that are stronger (although N-N is nearly twice as strong, iirc)

      Putting ions in a position to have to share their ionic attraction among more atoms than they have valence electrons weakens their bonds, so there aren't many ionic substances that have nearly as strong a structure in crystal lattices.

      The strength of diamong is due to the fact that (1) C-C is a fairly strong bond and (2) of the valence-4 atoms, which allow for the least disruptive crystal structure, C-C has the strongest bonds. It's that combination of no bending and strong bonds that makes diamond hard. Though there are far harder substances.

      This being chemistry, someone will of course find counterexamples. It's pretty amazing how so few rules for atoms can produce so many intricate variations in behavior once you get atoms close together.

    2. Re:Yes necessarily by OldChemist · · Score: 1

      Hmm... NaCl dissolves in water. Despite your claim that ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds. Wouldn't this lead to a few problem with, ah, er, rubber? Reaction of a very old chemist, who barely remembers what rubber is good for...

    3. Re:Yes necessarily by tepples · · Score: 1

      NaCl dissolves in water. Water is a polar solvent, causing a dissociation NaCl -> Na+ + Cl-.

      Despite your claim that ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds. "Strong bond" does not mean "inert bond".
  17. I can just hear Chevy Chase's voiceover by KudyardRipling · · Score: 1

    Five years ago, a team of scientists working at Uranus discovered a new polyester...

    --
    Submission as evidence constitutes plaintiff and/or prosecutorial misconduct.
  18. Yes, but by nog_lorp · · Score: 1

    I think the remark was more about the fact that hydrogen bonds are weaker than the other types mentioned.

  19. Roads by ewg · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Please tell me there's some way to incorporate this material into roadways that don't develop potholes. I'm tired of paying for them--in wear and tear on my car and in taxes.

    --
    org.slashdot.post.SignatureNotFoundException: ewg
    1. Re:Roads by youthoftoday · · Score: 5, Funny

      There's some way to incorporate this material into roadways that don't develop potholes. You're tired of paying for them--in wear and tear on your car and in taxes.

      --
      -1 not first post
    2. Re:Roads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Now there's a great idea, until they make wheels from the same material.
      "I tell you man, these tires just STICK to the road. See? It's glued all around them!"

    3. Re:Roads by danielsfca2 · · Score: 1

      I laughed out loud--I guess I haven't seen this particular smart-ass technique before.

      Do you remember New Here? A slashdot user who only posts to correct someone who makes the mistake of telling someone, "You must be new here." The reply comes every time, "No, I'm New Here."

      I wonder how hard it would be to write a bot that scanned conversations on Slashdot and posted smart-ass comebacks like the parent, or New Here's, whenever a comment matches a certain pattern.

    4. Re:Roads by AndyboyH · · Score: 1

      Watch Airplane! or the Naked Gun movies.

      Watching those are surely like taking a class in comedy 101... ;)

      [waits for the 'And don't call me Shirley!' response]

      --
      Baka Drew
  20. What's your name, Sir? by microbee · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bond, Hydrogen Bond.

    1. Re:What's your name, Sir? by BiggerIsBetter · · Score: 1

      Bond, Hydrogen Bond. *slow clap*
      --
      Forget thrust, drag, lift and weight. Airplanes fly because of money.
    2. Re:What's your name, Sir? by MadUndergrad · · Score: 1

      Hey, I know a guy named Hydrogen. He's a physics major. No kidding.

  21. The material is synthesised from urea by mnmn · · Score: 1

    "The material is synthesised from fatty acids and urea"

    You only need lots of beer and hamburgers to produce this rubber.

    --
    "Give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you." -Nim Chimpsky
  22. Oy by The+End+Of+Days · · Score: 5, Funny

    So many condom jokes, so little actual sex...

  23. Best feature of the "smart rubber" by charlesbakerharris · · Score: 1

    It takes care of parallel porking automatically!

  24. Obligatory by Strange+Quark+Star · · Score: 1

    I, for one, welcome our new promising, smart and self-mending rubber overlords.

    --
    There is no sig.
    1. Re:Obligatory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I feel as if this could somehow be made into a better phrase, one alluding to condoms.

    2. Re:Obligatory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I, for one, welcome our new self mending condom overlords.

    3. Re:Obligatory by background+image · · Score: 1

      How about "I, for one, welcome our new self-mending, prophylactic overlords"?

  25. Condoms? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So, you could -- technically speaking -- create an everlasting condom? This would be good news for the Slashdot crowd, because those condoms you've kept in your wallet for five years -- in case you got lucky with that girl who works at Radioshack -- they've expired. Much like your chances.

    The CAPTCHA for this post? "Mishap", it's what happens when you finally break out one those things.

  26. gimp suits. by apodyopsis · · Score: 1

    haha. at the risk of lowering the tone they could finally do away with all those zips!

    btw. if you don't know what a gimp suit is I strongly suggest you don't do a google image search on them for the sake on yer eyeballs.

  27. Need to make multi-layered products. by argent · · Score: 1

    If you made a bag of this it would stick to itself on the inside. You would need to make a multi-layered bag with a film of some other non-self-healing substance on the inside and probably on the outside as well. That would, of course, limit the number of times it could heal because eventually the separating film would fail and your bacg would end up like a lump of silly-putty.

  28. wait by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    isnt this called silly putty

  29. But the French do everything wrong! by JulianConrad · · Score: 1

    We should in no way follow their example. Conservative American radio talkshows tell me so.

  30. Since 1947 by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 1

    They've had this tech in New Mexico since 1947.

    --
    Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  31. Re:Odd Then don't bed such people, OR... by davidsyes · · Score: 0

    Then

    -- use TWO condoms,
    -- use 3x the spermicide,
    -- make her wear wear an IUD, and cap it with half a jar of Vaseline or 5 Tbsp Crisco plus 3 spoonsful of tumeric, cumin, witch hazel, and durian or papaya

    If THAT fails, then stuff it all into YOURself...

    Cuz when she finds out what you're up to, you'll be in Richard Pryor's role in "Which Way is Up" (cuffed to the bed with a slick vibrator headed your way...)

    --
    Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
  32. Stretch Armstrong? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I had self-healing rubber as a kid. Remember Stretch Armstrong? The book that came with it said, "If Stretch Armstrong ever gets cut or scratched, put a band-aid on it and wait overnight!"

    In disbelief, I cut into Stretch's arm. "Goop" came out, so I put a band-aid on it. Sure enough, the next morning it was healed.

    What was ol' Stretch made of, anyway? Silicone?

    1. Re:Stretch Armstrong? by Datamonstar · · Score: 1

      Corn Starch.

      --
      The eternal struggle of good vs. evil begins within one's self.
  33. Tires by Jon+Abbott · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Finally, we will all have tires that are invincible! This will be especially useful for road bike tires, which get sliced up rather easily compared to automobile tires...

    --
    Slashdot's first reaction to VMware
  34. What the hell's going on here? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't care about your healing rubber. What about some news on a flying car? Or a self-repairing car? Or maybe some news about a car that changes color. That'd be nice, a car that changes color. I'm an American, and this is America goddammit, and we're at war. I want to hear something about cars.

  35. I want an engineering sample. by iansmith · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You would need to put some sort of skin over this to keep it from self-reparing in ways it wasn't meant to. If you accidently fold a sheet of this stuff it would adhere to itself. And you though trying to work with plastic wrap without getting it all stuck together was hard.

    I bet it would be fun to sculpt with. Cut bits off, stick them back in in other places.. would be a really strange medium to work in.

    Or the ultimate version of those pads to stick your cell phone to your dashboard. Except now it will NEVER come off until you slice it off with a razor.

    1. Re:I want an engineering sample. by doppe1 · · Score: 1
      You would need to put some sort of skin over this to keep it from self-reparing in ways it wasn't meant to.

      The material only self heals if it cut and and then rejoined in the same place. The hydrogen bonds are not present on the whole surface, but only exist on the newly formed surface - ready to be rejoined - for approx 18 hours. They made a nice metaphor of the hydrogen bonds being like hands that hold on to each other and when the material is cut the hands let go, but then are on the surface waving about ready to hold hands again if another hand comes near, but after the 18 hours of being left hanging the hands turn round and flip you off.

    2. Re:I want an engineering sample. by Katatsumuri · · Score: 1

      I bet it would be fun to sculpt with. Cut bits off, stick them back in in other places.. would be a really strange medium to work in. You mean, almost like clay or plasticine, except you need to hold it for an hour to make it stick?
    3. Re:I want an engineering sample. by tolgyesi · · Score: 1

      Fun to place some of this in a parking place and see smart wheels bond to it...

  36. This Old, old news.. by ihaveamo · · Score: 1

    I saw a documentary a few years ago about this. I think Robin Williams hosted it. I'm surprised nobody is talking about the amazing anti-gravity properties it has..... Finally, no more "I want my flying car!" memes....

  37. Bicycle tires & toy balls by 9Nails · · Score: 1

    This would be a great fit for my son's bicycle tires and his bouncy balls that we keep buying him. I can't think of many other applications, but I'm sure they are out there. This looks like it has solid potential.

  38. Re:Odd Then don't bed such people, OR... by insertwackynamehere · · Score: 4, Informative

    I know you are joking but just to be clear, using oil based lubricants and/or using multiple condoms will increase the risk of condoms breaking during sex.

  39. What happens when it gets wet? by Guppy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm curious if the material material still works in wet or humid conditions. Since water forms a strong hydrogen bond, I'm wondering if having H2O present in the interface of two pieces will "cap" the polymer's bonds and slow or disrupt the self-repair.

    In addition, I'm also wondering how permeable the material is to water or water vapor, and if there is any swelling when exposed.

  40. The fetishwear potential of this stuff by Ungrounded+Lightning · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... is mind-boggling.

    --
    Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
  41. Geez, man! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I've certainly had my share of "box lunch at the Y", but never with so many side dishes and condiments!

  42. Porn Stars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How long before I get to see it stretched over a porn star?

  43. Re:Odd Then don't bed such people, OR... by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

    If the IUD doesn't work, an IED will.

    --
    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  44. O.C.P.A. by flyneye · · Score: 1

    Well this dooms the "One Condom per Adult" charity in AIDS torn countries.

    --
    *Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!
    1. Re:O.C.P.A. by ZerdZerd · · Score: 1

      This made me think, why don't we have "Give one, get one" for condoms?

      --
      I'm not insane! My mother had me tested.
  45. nothing new here... move along. by silicone_chemist · · Score: 2, Informative

    Self fusing rubber compounds are nothing new. Arlon's Silicone Technologies Division http://www.arlon-std.com/ has been extruding self fusing (healing if you prefer) tapes http://www.arlon-std.com/Products/tape.htm made from silicone rubber for a long time. Other companies do as well. The tapes are primarily used for electrical insulation applications. They are fully crosslinked but when brought into contact they fuse (or heal) into a homogeneous mass. EPDM varieties are available as well. These researches have taken a different approach. Perhaps good, perhaps not. By removing the chemical crosslinks and opting for only hydrogen bonding the material is going to be inferior in many ways; tensile strength, elongation, durometer, abrasion resistance, creep resistance, etc.

  46. flubber is just around the corner... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    watch out for it in your local toy stores.

  47. Vulcanizing rubber by Ceriel+Nosforit · · Score: 1

    It appears to be vulcanizing rubber. I have a roll that I nicked from my father in my toolbox. He bought the roll sometime in the '90s. There appears to be nothing new about this.

    (Sorry for replying to the first post. Difficult to call bullshit if one isn't heard though.)

    --
    All rites reversed 2010
  48. Should Make Police Chases More Interesting... by penguin_dance · · Score: 1

    Helecopter Pilot: Here he comes...they're tossing down the stop sticks...DIRECT HIT! No...wait...oh--that car he stole comes with self-mending tires; they'll have to find another way to take him out....

    --
    If you've never been modded as "flamebait" or "troll," you've never tried to argue a minority viewpoint here!
  49. Gummy Worms? by PalmKiller · · Score: 1

    Looks like gummy worms to me, I coulda made them same video with those.

  50. Re:Odd Then don't bed such people, OR... by Eddy+Luten · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now I know: it only takes one slashdotter to take the fun out of sex.

  51. Hmmmmm..... by Oloryn · · Score: 1

    Does this mean that the T-1000 will be made of rubber, not liquid metal?

  52. High-voltage tape? by greyhueofdoubt · · Score: 1

    Can someone explain to me how this substance is different in practice from high-voltage electrical tape? The HV tape is 'self-amalgamating,' that is, when you wrap it over itself, it bonds to itself- you can use it in place of heat-shrink tubing in some applications, and it's good to 69 kV.

    plymouth-bishop "3 Bi-Seal" polyethylene high voltage tape, p/n 8051 if you're interested. I use it at work sometimes.

    -b

    --
    No offense, but I've stopped responding to AC's.
  53. Re:Lenore will be so happy! by Hillgiant · · Score: 1

    Mal. Guy killed me, Mal. He killed me with a sword. How weird is that?

    --
    -
  54. Re:Odd Then don't bed such people, OR... by davidsyes · · Score: 1

    Who... I hope that's not the kind found in Kandahar... Wait... You meant "Integrated Drive Erectronics"?

    --
    Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
  55. Re:Odd Then don't bed such people, OR... by davidsyes · · Score: 1

    That's why you start out with TWO condoms... butt, I guess that diminishes the sensitivity/eruption/fun part...

    --
    Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
  56. Howdy neighbor! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So you're from the Caribbean too then?

  57. Synthetic Snot? by trongey · · Score: 1

    Umm. That video just looked like they were playing with a string of the synthetic snot that holds the advert cards inside magazines.

    I wish I could be famous for claiming to invent something that got sent to me in the mail.

    --
    You never really know how close to the edge you can go until you fall off.
  58. Re:Odd Then don't bed such people, OR... by jacksonj04 · · Score: 1

    It greatly diminishes the effectiveness of the condom as well, increasing the risk of splitting.

    --
    How many people can read hex if only you and dead people can read hex?