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New Shape-Shifting Polymer Holds 1,000 Times Its Own Mass - Watch Out Plastic Man! (techtimes.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the Mystique dept.

University of Rochester researchers have announced the development of a new polymer, capable of supporting 1,000 times its own mass. Polymers that can change shape when heated have been developed in the past, yet this new polymer exhibits the rare quality of becoming flexible when exposed to body heat. This property, which can be used to change the shape of a device, could make the substance useful in medical applications. When the new polymer is removed from the heat source (such as human body), the material immediately returns to its original configuration.

3 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Medical applications? by tlambert · · Score: 5, Funny

    Medical applications?

    "How did the poor bastard die?"

    "He was out skiing, and his artificial kidney reverted to its original shape, a spiky brick."

    1. Re:Medical applications? by WarJolt · · Score: 3, Funny

      The target application is clearly breast implants. It certainly will give a whole new meaning to it's feeling a bit nipply out there.

  2. "Medical" applications... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Fleshlight :)