Nanotubes Could Enable Self-Repairing Electronic Circuits
Researchers develop nanotubes that can help circuits repair critical breaks Many people know the familiar wince when a cell phone or laptop hits the floor. But electronic devices of the future may self-repair tiny cracks or breaks in their circuitry with the help of nanotubes. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created capsules that hold conductive nanotubes and can sit on circuit boards. Mechanical stress that causes a crack in the circuit would also split open some capsules and release the nanotubes to help bridge the gap. Related Articles 30-Second Science: Sun and Water Enable New Self-Healing Materials Researchers Create Self-Repairing Rubber From Abalone to Self-Healing Gadgets Tags SciTech, Jeremy Hsu Technology Review reports that outside experts praised the concept, which appeared last week in the Journal of Materials Chemistry. The...