IBM Announces a New Class of Polymers

Since their development in the late-19^th to early 20^th century, plastics have been crucial in creating the world we live in today. From polyesters to epoxies, plastics have found their way into nearly every aspect of our lives.

In fact, plastics have been so useful that in the early-20^th century corporations made major investments in the field of polymer research. Given that massive investment and the number of materials that were discovered, researchers concluded that plastics development was completely mature with few discoveries left to be made.

Fortunately for engineers and designers, a team of researchers at IBM have upset this expectation by announcing a completely new class of polymers.

While still unnamed, the IBM discovery was made in part by leveraging computational chemistry to aid the traditional experimental process. Using computer simulations researchers were able to remove much of the trial and error work of experimentation. By introducing the base chemical structure of their new polymer into simulations, computers were able to show researchers how the material would respond to chemical reactions. Using the guidance gleaned from their simulations, IBM’s scientists were able to deliver a new class of materials with incredible new properties.

According to an IBM press release, “[T]hese new materials are the first to demonstrate resistance to cracking, strength higher than bone, the ability to reform to their original shape (self-heal), all while being completely recyclable back to their starting material.”

According to IBM this new class of materials could transform the manufacturing and fabrication processes in industries like aerospace, transportation and microelectronics. Given that the plastics field was once thought to be near complete, IBM’s discovery seems to offer a new lease on life and could help shape the future just as they have the past.

Image and Video Courtesy of IBM