Scientists in India have recently developed the world’s hardest known substance that is also capable of self healing. The scientists are from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
According to a TelegraphIndia report, the Bengal scientists collaborated in synthesizing an organic crystalline material that has a unique internal molecular structure, which is capable of repairing itself when damaged. To demonstrate this self healing capability, the scientists used a trigger mild to severe cracks in on this material. After making these cracks, the material begins to automatically reverse the damage within a fraction of a second after the needle pressure was withdrawn.
While self healing materials have been in existence for a while now in various forms, but these are usually soft and amorphous. In simpler terms, these usuall have an internal structure marked by irregularities and defects and need external agents like heat, light, or other chemical products to heal. Chilla Malla Reddy, a chemical sciences professor at the ISSER who led the research stated that “Our self healing material is 10 times harder than others.”
He further added that “it has a crystalline structure, a well ordered internal structure, the favored structure in most electronics and optical applications.” In other words, the material likely has vast possible applications in consumer electronic products as well. One of the researchers also added that “I can imagine an application for an everyday device. Such materials could even be used for mobile phone screens that will repair themselves if they fall and develop cracks.”
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