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Drive Past the Body Shop: Sun Will Repair Scratches

New self-healing coating will save you money, time

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 13, 2009 12:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – The sun will soon be able to help repair the scratches on everything from iPods to cars. Researchers have developed a polyurethane coating that heals itself when exposed to UV radiation, Wired reports. The coating, which should be available in a few months, could save consumers money and reduce waste by minimizing upkeep. “It’s very economical,” said a researcher.

“It could coat anything that can be scratched—electronics, aircraft, cars, you name it," his colleague added. The coating works in all climates but can only repair itself once. Hitting the same place is twice is unlikely, the scientists reasoned. “Your car would last for a long time, and it would look new for a long time,” one said.

Researchers have created a polyurethane coating that heals itself when exposed to ultraviolet light, Wired says.
Researchers have created a polyurethane coating that heals itself when exposed to ultraviolet light, Wired says.   (Shutter Stock)
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It’s a new healing chemistry for polyurethane.
- Nancy Sottos, University of Illinois

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Mr.C
Mar 14, 2009 6:42 AM CDT
..not appropriate.
riffran
Mar 14, 2009 1:22 AM CDT
this article has NOTHING to do with ideology....hater, ....back to the usual default setttings I see.......................Good question thinker, if the process works only once, that would infer that there is something either released or used up in the coating. There arent too many compounds that "just change" in the presence of a particular condition without releasing something, but it could be as simple as the process just releasing a little extra heat during the reaction.....intresting
JonmarkP
Mar 13, 2009 7:27 AM CDT
Put some on Barbara Bush's face - quick!

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