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New Take on Self-Healing Polymer Could Mean Scratch-Free Screens

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the new-screen-just-add-sunlight dept.

techprophet writes to mention that a new take on self-healing plastic could provide a long-term solution to scratched screens. The new polymer, developed by scientists at the University of Southern Mississippi, uses UV light to reform bonds between molecules rather than embedded healing agents of similar systems. "At the core of their design is polyurethane, which is an elastic polymer that already has decent scratch resistance. To enhance its ability to withstand mechanical damage, Ghosh and Urban added two more components, OXE and CHI. OXE has an unstable chemical structure (a four-membered ring containing three carbons and one oxygen) that makes it prone to being split open. CHI is UV sensitive. The idea is that, if the polyurethane gets damaged by a scratch, the unstable ring structure of OXE will open to create two reactive ends. Then, UV light can trigger CHI to form new links with the reactive ends of OXE and thereby fix the break in the polymer."

6 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. How many times? by VeNoM0619 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    So can it only repair the bond once, since it splits open?

    --
    Disclaimer: I am not god.
    We may not be created equal
    But we can be treated equal.
    1. Re:How many times? by sjames · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Perhaps. Each molecule can only participate in a repair once, but perhaps not all of them are consumed for a particular repair (leaving enough for another repair or 2).

      Even if it is only once, depending on the cost it might still be worthwhile since a single scratch can render a screen painful to use (and this would solve that problem) and it's unlikely that every scratch will happen in exactly the same place. Even if the scratches intersect, having a bad spot on the screen would beat two long scratches.

      It could potentially make the display last in good condition until after the device is obsolete or fails for an unrelated reason. Or at least make it look new for longer.

  2. Re:How big of a scratch? by wjh31 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    9.5 micrometer, but how far does it go, is that as big as it can manage? How many of the noticeable scratches on the display of your favourite phone/mp3 player/laptop etc could be healed by this, i.e what is the typical size of a scratch in the real world

  3. What about Glasses? by VortexCortex · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Does anyone else think this technology could also serve well as self healing lenses for glasses?

    What good is a scratch free screen if I can't see it through my scuffed eye-wear?

  4. Another use for this: Solar panels? by Atheraal · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Isn't one of the biggest weaknesses of current solar panels that they get scratched up over time, thus losing efficiency? Seems like a good match to me..

  5. technology already exist for cars exterior paints by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    A similar technology already exist for cars exterior paints: http://www.infinitiusa.com/ex/specs-options/ look for exterior tab, "Scratch Shield paint". The paint recovers from minor scratchs in a few days, automatically.