New nanomaterials can be converted to repair damage as quickly as terminators.
http://www.cnbeta.com/articles/144821.htm
the terminator in the Hollywood film can turn the hard body into a liquid and quickly repair the damage. In fact, the mechanical properties of the material are determined by the electronic structure, and it is difficult to change from the root. But a joint research team from Germany and China has brought the prototype of this material to people. According to the American physicist organization net reported in June 2nd, the University of Hamburg, the Helmholtz Federation, the center of St hustler, and the Metal Research Institute in Shenyang, China, have developed a magical nanomaterial. It only needs to press a button to change its strength in a few seconds, from hard to soft and flexible. The whole process of qualitative change is controlled by an electrical signal. The research is published in the latest issue of science.
the hardness and hardness of boiled eggs can be determined by heating time, but once something is determined, it can not be changed, for example, hard boiled eggs can not become soft. When manufacturing metals and alloys, they also face similar problems. Once the properties of materials are set, the whole production process can not be changed. Therefore, when engineers design mechanical properties, they often face the difficulty of both fish and bear's paw, the greater the hardness, the greater the brittleness, and the worse the ability to resist damage.
in the course of development, the researchers corroded precious metal materials such as gold or platinum in an acid solution and formed tiny pipes and holes in the material; then a nanostructured material was poured into the whole channel frame, and each micropore was filled with conductive liquids (such as simple salts). Solution or weak acid solution, become a kind of metal and liquid hybridization material.
researchers call this new material the metal water conjoined body, which can be activated by electrical signals, and the material properties can be changed by pressing a button. When the current is applied, the metal surface atoms bond will be strengthened and the hardness increases; the cutting current reduces the atomic bond, and the material becomes softer, the ability to resist damage is stronger, and the ductility is better.
the researchers pointed out that the mechanical properties of the new material can be switched back and forth in two states: soft and hard. Basically, it can generate electrical signals spontaneously and selectively, so it can automatically harden in places where pressure is concentrated, and it can prevent or even repair fracture damage.
professor Joerg Vimuel, a professor of material physics and technology at University of Hamburg, said the material is still in the basic research stage, but it is a great progress and turning point. It has a broad application prospect. In the future, it is expected to develop a high performance intelligent material that can automatically repair and smooth some flaw defects.