Harnessing the strength of rivals against rivals is a revered tenet in martial arts. And in a way, this is also the underlying philosophy of his group of researchers at MIT in the United States, who have published their latest research. innovative material.as the culprit of global warmingCarbon dioxide is usually demonized, but in this case it is a key factor in the development of new materials that are highly resistant to tearing and abrasion. Synthesized by American researchers, the polymer is inspired by plants that use carbon dioxide as a reactant in the photosynthetic process.
already dealt with Self-healing and smart materials In the past. Some of them use spores or bacteria as healing agents, while others are based on a network of nanotubes that release a sealant when the material cracks. we also mineral carbonation of carbon dioxide. Now, New technology developed by MIT It combines both approaches in an efficient and pioneering way.
material they are working on reacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere And just like plants, they begin to grow, strengthen, and even repair. Basically, it’s a gel-like synthetic polymer containing chloroplasts, one of the biological compounds that allow plant cells to capture sunlight. The only problem is that this compound is very unstable and starts to decompose after a few hours. But in them innovative technology projectsResearchers are considering several ways to extend its lifespan and replace it with a synthetic version in the future. Besides chloroplasts, the gel is based on aminopropylmethacrylamide and glucose, and an enzyme called glucose oxidase.
many of the self-healing material Those studied in the past had to be activated via several techniques such as ultraviolet light and pressure. But the new gel works only with light and carbon dioxide.
According to the scientists behind the project, this is the first time carbon dioxide synthesis technology has been introduced into building materials. Besides, of course, self-healing properties, the new material could help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is also rated as environmentally friendly as it does not require fossil fuels to manufacture.
the future is now
This gel hardens in the presence of air and light, but currently does not have the strength to replace cement or concrete.Nevertheless, this Self-healing material It can be used as both a facade and interior coating material to improve the durability of buildings. It can also be used as a repair liquid for cracks. The good news is that this is not some distant future technology. The MIT team has already developed the technology to produce it in tons, making it a commercially viable product.
