old3bob Posted July 19, 2023 Stunning discovery: First evidence of a self-healing metal Story by Andrei Ionescu • 2h ago Stunning discovery: First evidence of a self-healing metal© Provided by Earth " A team of scientists from Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University has recently witnessed for the first time a stunning phenomenon: pieces of metal cracking, then fusing back together without any human intervention. If this amazing phenomenon can be harnessed, it could give rise to an engineering revolution in which self-healing bridges, engines, or airplanes could reverse damage caused by wear and tear and thus become safer and longer-lasting. "This was absolutely stunning to watch first-hand," said Brad Boyce, a materials scientist at Sandia. "What we have confirmed is that metals have their own intrinsic, natural ability to heal themselves, at least in the case of fatigue damage at the nanoscale." Tiny fractures, big problems Fatigue damage is one of the main ways through which machine wear out and eventually break. From repeated stress or motion, microscopic cracks emerge and grow over time, ultimately leading to the complete failure of the device. The fissure the researchers saw disappear in the current study was one of these tiny (measured in nanometers) but consequential fractures...." 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silent thunder Posted July 19, 2023 Sandia... Kirtland AFB. Not surprising it's them behind this development. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Sternbach Posted July 24, 2023 This blurs the line between what, in the most common view, is considered alive and what is not. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
old3bob Posted July 25, 2023 true, along with some other things like crystals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
