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Scientists Invent Smartphone Screen Material That Can Repair Its Own Scratches (ibtimes.co.uk)

Posted by BeauHD on from the right-before-your-eyes dept.

drunkdrone quotes a report from International Business Times: Researchers say they have developed a new material that could pave the way for self-repairing smartphones, robots and other electronic devices. Scientists from the American Chemical Society claim that the material, which can stretch up to 50 times its usual size, is able to heal itself "like nothing has happened" even when cut in two. The material is flexible, transparent and shares similar properties to human skin. When exposed to electrical signals, a current is generated that creates a chemical bonding reaction between molecules. The most obvious applications for electronics devices seems to be self-healing displays, although lead researcher Dr Chao Wang is also exploring the possibility of a self-healing lithium-ion battery. While the technology is similar to the hydrogen-infused rear cover found on the LG G Flex, which allows for small scratches to be healed, the material developed by the American Medical Society is a completely new innovation that can "automatically stitch itself back together" within one day of being sliced into pieces. The team will present its research at a Tuesday meeting of the American Chemical Society, according to Business Insider.

3 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Number one application: terrible pranks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    1. Get a bit of this material

    2. Cut into shape of a dick

    3. Put on friend's phone

    4. Zap until the dick "heals" into the screen

    5. Screen now has permanent dick bulge

  2. Fuck cellphones. This will revolutionize eye care. by wierd_w · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Apply this to glasses as an alternative scratch coating, and use 2-part metal frames. Supply a simple "healing" cradle to put the glasses on at night.

    Never have scratched lenses again.

    Fuck the damn iphone. This would be fantastic in eye-wear.

  3. Brilliant stupidity. by geekmux · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Scientists invent an amazing material that can easily repair itself, and the best application we can think of, is on a device that gets thrown away and replaced every other year.

    This is like finding a cure for cancer and choosing to cure cows with it, just so we can turn them into hamburger.

    I guess there is an upside. Snow Flake won't have to worry about a scratch on her precious cell phone marring her narcissistic shell.