(SOURCE: Stanford University, news release, Nov. 11, 2012)
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists say they have
created a touch-sensitive plastic "skin" that can heal itself
when torn or cut. The synthetic skin includes a plastic polymer
with molecules that can reorganize themselves and restore the
structure of the material after it is damaged. Tiny particles of
nickel were added to the polymer in order to increase its
mechanical strength and its ability to conduct electricity. The
Stanford University team tested the healing ability of the
synthetic skin by cutting a piece of it in half with a scalpel.
They then gently pressed the pieces together for a few seconds
and found that the material quickly regained 75 percent of its
original strength and conductivity. Within about a half-hour,
the material was nearly 100 percent restored. Even after being
cut and repaired in the same place 50 times, the sample retained
its original bending and stretching capabilities. "Before our
work, it was very hard to