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Every time I read about a new development in the weird and wonderful world of materials science, I wonder if I've gone into the wrong field. Here are a few new products that have caught my eye recently:
Sugru - a bit like modelling clay, only it cures into a flexible silicone overnight. Make your stuff waterproof, or more ergonomic, or funky and artistic, or simply not broken. Check out the video on their site, and some of the hundreds of pictures of cool sugru hacks submitted by their users. Currently out of stock, due to (foolishly, IMHO) unanticipated massive demand.
Spray-on glass - I can't decide if this is a hoax or not. According to the article, the spray can coat whatever surface you like with a 100nm film of glass, with some really bizarre properties (breathable, waterproof, non-toxic, flexible...). Apparently it makes clothes stain-resistant, kitchen counters wipe-clean and antibacterial, wood termite-proof, and vines resistant to fungi. My bogon detector is triggered by the bit about "not available in supermarkets because they make too much money off conventional cleaning products", however.
Woolfiller - not sure if this is really materials science, but - well, watch the video. If you've ever darned an item of clothing, you'll see what I mean.
[Edit: turns out this is clever marketing of a well-known (for suitable values of "well-known") technique called "needle felting". I still think it's cool, though. Thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
susannahf and taimatsu for pointing this out.]
Rather older, but still cool: metallic glass and rubberized asphalt.
PS: I am now employed again - I started work here this morning :-)
Sugru - a bit like modelling clay, only it cures into a flexible silicone overnight. Make your stuff waterproof, or more ergonomic, or funky and artistic, or simply not broken. Check out the video on their site, and some of the hundreds of pictures of cool sugru hacks submitted by their users. Currently out of stock, due to (foolishly, IMHO) unanticipated massive demand.
Spray-on glass - I can't decide if this is a hoax or not. According to the article, the spray can coat whatever surface you like with a 100nm film of glass, with some really bizarre properties (breathable, waterproof, non-toxic, flexible...). Apparently it makes clothes stain-resistant, kitchen counters wipe-clean and antibacterial, wood termite-proof, and vines resistant to fungi. My bogon detector is triggered by the bit about "not available in supermarkets because they make too much money off conventional cleaning products", however.
Woolfiller - not sure if this is really materials science, but - well, watch the video. If you've ever darned an item of clothing, you'll see what I mean.
[Edit: turns out this is clever marketing of a well-known (for suitable values of "well-known") technique called "needle felting". I still think it's cool, though. Thanks to
susannahf and taimatsu for pointing this out.]Rather older, but still cool: metallic glass and rubberized asphalt.
PS: I am now employed again - I started work here this morning :-)