Justin L. Mynar & Takuzo Aida/Nature

Imagine a flat tire that repairs itself. A basketball that never goes flat. Children's toys that can't be broken. All of these things could one day be possible thanks to the advance of synthetic rubber that self-heals like Silly Putty. Unlike the large molecules in conventional rubber, the material invented by French scientists Ludwik Leibler and Philippe Cordier is made of smaller molecules joined by hydrogen bonds. When the material is cut, molecules that were separated seek out new partners. When the two pieces are pressed together again, lonely molecules bond, reinstating the integrity of the material.

While scientists and bloggers dream up amazing applications, such as one day using the material to mend broken bones and ligaments, Leibler and Cordier are teaming up with French chemical company Arkema to find immediate applications. By mixing their material with asphalt, they're creating roads that won't crack, which will likely be available in a year. They're also developing a harder, shinier material that could be used for unbreakable household items like vases or dishes. What's next? Well, use your imagination.

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