A breakthrough in self-healing materials has been made by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Kolkata. They have developed a self-healing crystalline material that could be used to repair hard surfaces such as smartphone displays. The material is 10 times harder than other self-healing materials and has piezoelectric properties, meaning it can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. The material is made up of organic crystals with a special molecular structure. When a crystal breaks, electrical charges are generated at the fracture surfaces, triggering a precise recombination of the pieces that heals the material.
Piezoelectric materials are commonly used in objects that are subjected to high stress and could break. However, the new material could also be used in everyday objects such as smartphone screens that could repair themselves if they are dropped and broken. The researchers have not yet announced when the material will be ready for industrial use, but they believe it could be used in mobile devices in the coming years.
This development is significant because self-healing materials have previously only been available for soft plastics. The new material is a major step forward in the field of self-healing materials and could have a significant impact on the manufacturing industry. The ability to repair hard surfaces could reduce waste and increase the lifespan of products, leading to a more sustainable future.
