IBM Discovers New Class of Polymers

Charliemopps (1157495) writes "IBM Research has published a new paper to the journal Science which describes a newly discovered class of Industrial Polymers that promise to revolutionize the fields of transportation, aerospace, and microelectronics. These materials resist cracking, have strength higher than that of bone, the ability to self-heal, and are completely recyclable. 'Codenamed Titan and Hydro, both of which came from the same reaction. One is rigid; it could become part of the next generation of computers. The other is a gel, so it it could be included in water-soluble nail polish.'"

according to the article...

[the eric conspiracy]

This stuff breaks down when exposed to acidic water.

So it certainly won't be very durable outside anywhere on the east coast of the US thanks to the acid rain.

And indoors, well just watch out for the Pepsi Syndrome!

Re:Quite the anti-climax.....

[Charliemopps]

Starting off with ... "fields of transportation, aerospace, and microelectronics"

But the real application is ... "water-soluble nail polish.'"

This is what I don't like about submitting to slashdot. It reads like I wrote that. Like that's a quote from me. That's not what I submitted at all. They basically cut the last half of my post off, typed something totally different and provided an entirely different link. For once the editors did edit the story before posting it, but instead of improving it they mangled it.

In the paper, if you read it, this isn't really about the 2 materials the editors stuck in. Those are just the result of the real breakthrough. Which is IBM has designed modeling software that can design plastics to order. Previously they would just create a plastic, play with it, and see what it was good for. This is how accidents like Silly Putty and Post-it notes came about. But with this new software you can put in characteristics you want the plastic to have and it will spit out which plastics to make and how to make them. It will be revolutionary to every field in industry. The 2 materials mentioned in the Editors link were what they created with the software as a test. Their properties, while interesting, are incidental to the real discovery which is the software.

Re:The problem with most recylcing is sorting

[l0n3s0m3phr34k]

yes, in fact I've used ping pong balls and nail polish remover before. Cut up the ping pongs, put them into a dish of nail polish remover, and it melts. I then dip whatever tool handle or such into the mix, and then pull it out and wait a few seconds. Once the polish remover evaporates, it turns back into the plastic, giving me an easy way of coating various objects cheaply and quickly. I'll admit I saw the idea on the BBC's "Bang Goes the Theory", a show everyone on here should be watching!