healable

A team led by engineers at the University of California San Diego developed a new cathode material for solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries that is electrically conductive and structurally healable -- features that overcome the limitations of these batteries' current cathodes.

"Just to give some examples, infrastructure materials for roads and bridges are often composed of epoxy resins mixed with compounds such as concrete and carbon. By using VPR, these would be easier to maintain as they would be stronger and healable using heat," suggested Ando.

Researchers have successfully combined these different materials to make healable transistors, capacitors and other electronic components.

Some healable polymers require a trigger, such as exposure to a particular temperature, light or pressure, to reknit their broken bonds.

Intrinsically stretchable and healable semiconducting polymer for organic transistors.