Plastic heals itself by mimicking the human body (video)

Credit: Ryan Gergekey/GigaOm

http://gigaom.com/2014/05/09/plastic-heals-itself-by-mimicking-the-human-body/ / University of Illinois researchers created vein-like tubes carry healing liquid damaged sites system repair damage stretch stretches more inch across LG mobile phone self-repair minor damage plastic casing novelty shallow scratch damage remained paper published Science today subscription required create plastic objects self-repair damage damaged repeatedly repair itself compromising its strength two liquids flow into holes cracks form criss-crossing lines create gel-like scaffolding third material causes structure harden object repaired study lead Scott White release forms a gel tubes run through a plastic material damage damaged ooze liquid area needs repair research team University of Illinois plastics often-damaged items car bumpers industries industry difficult to make repairs aerospace /