Self-Repairing Material

[Anomalocaris]

Materials scientists have developed a clever fix that could buy astronauts the time they need to fully repair a breach: A “self healing” material, consisting of a reactive liquid sandwiched between two layers of a solid polymer. When the researchers shot a bullet through the material (shown in the video below), the liquid reacted with oxygen in the air to form a solid plug in less than a second.

Self-Repairing Material Could Prevent Spaceship Catastrophes

[seeder]

that could buy astronauts the time they need to fully repair a breach

the liquid reacted with oxygen in the air

astronauts... and oxygen in the air? so it can only be useful from inside the craft then...

.

Edited August 27, 2015 by seeder

[Anomalocaris]

that could buy astronauts the time they need to fully repair a breach

the liquid reacted with oxygen in the air

astronauts... and oxygen in the air? so it can only be useful from inside the craft then....

Fair enough. This is one of those rare occasions in which I agree with you.

[+Hammerclaw]

A good, old idea. Planes had self-sealing fuel tanks in WW2. Space craft should have self-sealing hulls.

[BeastieRunner]

That's really cool.

I hope it helps prevents some mishaps in the future.

[+DieChecker]

Space habitats and vessels should be a no brainer for this kind of material.

[Nnicolette]

Wow so nasa finally catches up with schwinn.

[qxcontinuum]

I think everyone missed the point here. How is a liquid solidifying in contact with air helping in space ?

A

1 it is a liquid which can't have a solid form

2 there is no air in space

[Waspie_Dwarf]

I think everyone missed the point here. How is a liquid solidifying in contact with air helping in space ?

A

1 it is a liquid which can't have a solid form

2 there is no air in space

There is air INSIDE a manned spacecraft.

It is YOU that has missed the point.

[toast]

I think everyone missed the point here. How is a liquid solidifying in contact with air helping in space ?

A

1 it is a liquid which can't have a solid form

2 there is no air in space

1. Do know the meaning of the term State of matter? Do you know of what the ice cubes in your drink are made of?

2. See post #9

[+DieChecker]

I thought the purpose was to save the people inside if the hull was pierced. Thus the liquid hardening to the inside will do that. I'm not sure if that necessarily would mean the liquid also would leak into space though. Maybe the liquid absorbs enough oxygen from the inside to plug both sides of the hole?

Edited September 6, 2015 by DieChecker