Humans have learnt many things from nature. These things have helped us in our daily life. latest thing is self-repairing clothing. Scientists have developed special way for clothing to repair rips and tears by itself, without need for sewing. It works with materials such as cotton, linen and wool. scientists are from Naval Research Office and Pennsylvania State University in USA. Scientists Dr. Walter Dressick and Dr Melik Demirel looked at how squid can cling on to things so well. The research team found protein in rings of teeth that cover suckers on squid. The protein is similar to one found in silk that spiders use to make spider webs. It is very strong and elastic (stretchy).
The new protein has been developed as part of coating, which is put on clothes. When coating is dipped in water, area around rip or tear joins together in less than minute. This could help clothes last longer and save us money. It could also be useful for military and survival clothes. People like soldiers and mountaineers would be safer if they had clothes that repaired quickly and easily. Professor Demirel spoke about invention. He said: "The coatings are thin, less than micron, so they wouldn't be noticed in everyday wear." He added: "Even thin, they increase overall strength of material. For first time, we are making self-healing textiles."
