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View Full Version : Coating that uses sunlight to automatically heal scratches



macperegrine
Mar 13, 2009, 07:02 AM
Wouldn't mind having something like this on my iPod etc.!

Scientists have devised a coating that when scratched heals itself upon exposure to sunlight.
The secret of the material lies in using molecules made from chitosan, which is derived from the shells of crabs and other crustaceans.
In the event of a scratch, ultraviolet light drives a chemical reaction that patches the damage....[full story below]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7939776.stm


iBlue
Mar 13, 2009, 07:11 AM
That is really cool. Even cooler if they can find a way to do it without exploiting crustaceans.
waiwai
Mar 13, 2009, 08:56 AM
that is cool... i want some friggin crab shell lotion now... im gonna paste it all ova ma body so i can heal like wolverine when i get cut up...
iJohnHenry
Mar 13, 2009, 10:24 AM
Bad idea. Your skin would likely suffocate. :p

Didn't you see Goldfinger???
Abstract
Mar 13, 2009, 10:34 AM
Yeah, but didn't you see X-men? Like Wolverine, he said!!
notjustjay
Mar 13, 2009, 10:41 AM
Oooh, a molecularly bonded shell! :D

Of course, I still subscribe to the theory that car manufacturers WANT you to pay for expensive scratch repairs. When I drove silver cars, any scratch/scrape on the silver-painted plastic parts revealed black plastic underneath. So I thought I'd be smart, and bought a black car the next time around... only to discover that if I scrape or crack a part, it reveals WHITE plastic undernearth! Argh!
Eanair
Mar 13, 2009, 10:42 AM
[geek moment]

Reminds me of photolyase.

[/geek moment]

That's awesome. :)
Chappers
Mar 13, 2009, 02:46 PM
This is a bit late for my 1G iPod nano. ;)
Counterfit
Mar 13, 2009, 03:48 PM
That stuff needs to be in/on car paint NOW! :eek:
173080
Mar 13, 2009, 07:00 PM
BASF already has a self-healing clearcoat, it's used on the Maybach and Rolls-Royce. It's the Glasurit 923-45.
iJohnHenry
Mar 13, 2009, 07:24 PM
Cool. I was just waiting for an excuse to buy one. :rolleyes:
Mr. lax
Mar 14, 2009, 02:22 AM
BASF already has a self-healing clearcoat, it's used on the Maybach and Rolls-Royce. It's the Glasurit 923-45.

They need it on cars that don't cost arms and legs
william sire
Mar 14, 2009, 08:46 PM
Didn't this idea first come about in KnightRider?
Mr. lax
Mar 14, 2009, 09:13 PM
Didn't this idea first come about in KnightRider?

I'd be willing to bet that knight rider was based on this, not the other way around.
Mr. Giver '94
Mar 15, 2009, 09:51 PM
I can see it now. iTan. The crazy cool sciency tanning oil that heals your skin! :eek: