IBM has announced: IBM Research: Industrial polymers
the discovery of a polymer that is
*lightweight
*extremely strong
*self-healing
It sounds like something that might have application in auto skins - I'm especially attracted to that self-healing aspect - and, if the strength is concurrent with the appropriate parameters for rigidity and other factors, in other parts up to and including frames.
Aluminum is fine as an alternative to steel but, as Boeing can tell you, it certainly has fatigue considerations, has corrosion characteristics that are different from those of steel but still present, is awkward to weld, and is &*$#!@ expensive to repair!
the discovery of a polymer that is
*lightweight
*extremely strong
*self-healing
It sounds like something that might have application in auto skins - I'm especially attracted to that self-healing aspect - and, if the strength is concurrent with the appropriate parameters for rigidity and other factors, in other parts up to and including frames.
Aluminum is fine as an alternative to steel but, as Boeing can tell you, it certainly has fatigue considerations, has corrosion characteristics that are different from those of steel but still present, is awkward to weld, and is &*$#!@ expensive to repair!
