When we cut a cut or scrape we bleed. After which the blood begins to coagulate and harden. Eventually new skin is formed and we are essentially ‘repaired’ for all intents and purposes. What if modern materials could do the same thing? Researchers from the University of Arizona are developing that very concept with structural materials. Henry Sodano and other researchers are developing what’s known as ‘autonomous adaptive structures’, or ‘shape memory polymers’ that use an embedded fiber-optic network that works as both a damage detection system and a thermal stimulus delivery system. Similar to the human biological restorative system, the system transmits infrared light through the network to help locate the point of damage and after finding it, heats the material locally stimulating the ‘healing’ mechanisms. After this is done the SMB’s can actually recover 96% of toughness over the virgin structure. These findings would indicate that robots could become more ‘Terminator’ like in their advancement, which could spell doom for us all! For information on the researchers findings please visit: http://jap.aip.org/resource/1/japiau/v108/i9/p093512_s1?isAuthorized=no
Eavesdropper
pic countacy of Terminator 2. Copyright of Pacificor