An elegant process which simply and cheaply covers small particles of polymer with a layer of silica-based nanoparticles has bee developed by research chemists at the University of Warwick. The final result provides a highly versatile material that can be used to create a range of high performance materials such as self healing paints, and clever packaging that can be tailored to let precise levels of water, air or both pass in a particular direction. The research, led by Dr Stefan Bon of University of Warwick's Department of Chemistry, has created a “soap free emulsion polymerization process” which makes colloid particles of polymer dispersed in water and in one simple step introduces nanometre sized silica based particles to the mix. This silica based nanoparticles (about 25 nanometre in size) then coats the polymer colloids with a layer “battering” it almost like a fish battered in bread crumbs. This process creates a very versatile polymer latex product. It can be used to create scratch resistant paints in which the scratches heal themselves. It can be fine tuned to produce polymer based packaging which will allow water or air to pass through the packaging in tailored ways. The resultant rough textured spherical shapes also lend themselves to the creation of sheets with polymer that present much more surface area than usual, allowing more efficient interaction with other materials. By exposing the material to a second simple step which deposited another polymer layer on top of the already silica based nanoparticles “battered” polymers, the researchers were able to produce particles with an even greater range of properties and uses. The end product is versatile, and the process is easy and cost effective. This new process dramatically cuts the time needed to create such materials and its single step can already be produced on a mass scale with currently used industrial equipment. The useful product can easily be made up to around 45% of the volume of each water-based solution used in their process. This compares with figures of as little as 1 to 10 % for comparable multi-step processes that make these complex particles. This could prove to be a viable alternative in time for the recent Japanese discovery of a similar self-healing paint, based on a specially-treated, translucent, synthetic resin that has a high density. Another use for the material could rely on its capabilities to allow for certain amounts of air or water to pass, with an obvious potential for package-manufacturing industries. Potentially interested buyers will be pleased to know that the manufacturing process for this material doesn't cost much and is easily possible on existing technology and equipment. The scratches of a car could soon be repaired with no stress, as Japanese researchers came up with a colorless car body paint that heals scratches by itself. Nissan's brand new Scratch Guard Coat repairs itself on top of the scratch in a matter of hours. It can even withstand coin attacks, though the healing process might take a week in such cases. It is possible to speed up the entire process by pouring some warm water over the affected area that would probably repair it in a matter of minutes. In collaboration with Nippon Paint, Nissan decided to follow a different, rather complementary approach. The translucent, synthetic resin has a high density, which allows it to slowly refill the damaged portions in time, as long as they're paint-deep. So far, it's only been designed to cover dark-colored cars, but the developers are confident that it can be applied to lighter tones as well. The manufacturers claim its effects last for approximately three years.