Synthetic Resilin

[Johnny Pneumatic]

You've probably never heard of it, but it's the most elastic material known to human kind. And now we can make it: http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=mediarelease&id=190resilin

 

[espritch]

Man, if I had me some of that I could jump like the Hulk. I'd be a super hero: Cricket Man!

 

[neutrino_cannon]

Well, I had a wonderful plan to destroy/take over the world economy, based on the vulnerability of monoculture natural rubber plantations, but then this comes along and saves the world from my evil!

Drat!

 

[CaveDave]

Sounds like a cool new material.
Now we get to see what can be done with it.

Dave

 

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Now we get to see what can be done with it.

Dave

I'm going to buy a resilin bouncing ball when they come out. The word "Trojan" also comes to mind.

 

[bob_kark]

Wow! Flubber!

 

[Schneibster]

Re-usable Trojan. Or very, very thin.

I thought the spinal disc application was the most likely "killer app-" or the heart-valve replacement. Lots of valve defects out there. But Viagra sure tops lots of lists.

 

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Anybody know what causes rubber to dry-rot? Would resilin, do you think, be immune to it? Perhaps gaskets, rubber bands, bungee cords(Bungee jumpers ahoy!), dildos, sling-shot bands, shoe soles etc. that don't dry rot and won't wear out for centuries of use?

 

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Anybody know what causes rubber to dry-rot? Would resilin, do you think, be immune to it? Perhaps gaskets, rubber bands, bungee cords(Bungee jumpers ahoy!), dildos, sling-shot bands, shoe soles etc. that don't dry rot and won't wear out for centuries of use?

Bump.

 

[PatKelley]

Oxidation. Rubber is a long chain polymer and is cross-linked with molecular bonds to make it hang together and give it some resilience. As the polymer oxidizes this cross linking breaks down again, and my friend in the office has observed one return to a liquid-latex-like state, completely amorphous.

 

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Oxidation. Rubber is a long chain polymer and is cross-linked with molecular bonds to make it hang together and give it some resilience. As the polymer oxidizes this cross linking breaks down again, and my friend in the office has observed one return to a liquid-latex-like state, completely amorphous.

Ah. Any clue if resilin would oxidize?

 

[PatKelley]

Not sure; it's an organic compound, and it would probably burn... however, unlike latex, it is meant to be in a semisolid form, versus how the "rubber" we are used to is a chemically modified latex. As it is derived from a springy material, unlike latex which is more of a clotting reaction, it is less likely it would degrade in a similar manner. If it is stable and durable enough to be considered for implants, I would suggest it is at least on par with silicone and other polymers and plastics.