Let’s talk about building things to last.
My grandpa used to say they don’t make things like they used to. He was referring to tools and equipment that used to be built to last when he was young. He complained that the workmanship and quality had gone down over time. Well, I might not be able to say that when I have grandkids.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a self-healing composite material that can repair itself over 1,000 times. By 3D-printing a thermoplastic healing agent into fiber-reinforced polymers, they’ve created a material that can melt and rebond its own cracks when an electrical current is applied.
This innovation could extend the lifespan of aircraft wings, wind turbines, and spacecraft from decades to 500 years, drastically reducing industrial waste and energy consumption.
When I was in school there was a big push to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Well imagine if things lasted for 500 years. That is the ultimate way to reduce our use of resources.
Source: Interesting Engineering
This story was featured in Great News podcast episode 28.
