Barry Eitel
10 August 2016•Update: 10 August 2016
By Barry Eitel
SAN FRANCISCO
Scientists on Wednesday said they have created a fabric coating that allows rips and tears in cotton, linen or wool to “heal” themselves.
The coating comes from a source not often featured on high fashion runways -- the teeth of squid. The protein is found in the teeth of the European common squid and researchers found a way to create a coating from it. Entire outfits or individual threads can be dipped in the coating, which, when dried is about one micron thick -- unnoticeable without a high-powered microscope.
When exposed to water, such as during washing, the protein reattaches small and large tears in the fabric. It also has the ability to protect the wearer from toxins in pesticides or chemical weapons, which is likely why the Pentagon partly funded the research.
The coating was invented at Penn State University. It was published Wednesday in the journal Applied Materials & Interfaces, issued by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
“These proteins are tough and elastic under both wet and dry conditions,” ACS spokesman Michael Bernstein said in a statement. “When pressed together in water, cut pieces of cloth that had been dipped in the new coating reattached.”
Scientists have been attempting to create self-repairing fabrics for years, with limited success. Many previous solutions cracked in dry conditions and were unable to repair large tears. The squid-based coating is far more durable and effective.
There is no timeline for releasing the coating to consumers but Penn State researchers are extremely excited about the possibilities.
Not only could the protein be used for clothing, scientists believe it could be used in medical implants that quickly heal wounds.
"For the first time we are making self-healing textiles," said co-author Melik Demirel.
