A unique protein derived from the teeth of squids that are located in their suction cups enables conventional textiles to self-repair, igniting the advent of self-healing textiles.

This protein that allows torn clothing to miraculously self-repair or "heal" itself was developed by researchers at Pennsylvania State University with funding from the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. This fabric-coating technology was created by turning the squid's ring teeth into a liquid form using yeast and bacteria.

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The resulting self-healing solution can be used to coat cotton, wool and other fabrics. When the coated fabric is torn, one only needs to place the edges together and apply warm water. The torn fabric then miraculously "heals," becoming as strong as before even after being laundered.

The protein solution can also be applied to threads before the fabric is even made. Since the garments are self-repaired by water, laundering them can also fix small tears and other defects.

"Fashion designers use natural fibers made of proteins like wool or silk that are expensive and they are not self-healing," said Penn State Professor Melik C. Demirel.

"We were looking for a way to make fabrics self-healing using conventional textiles. So we came up with this coating technology."

Dermirel said the substance can be adapted to develop clothing that protects soldiers, farmers and industrial workers by neutralizing toxic chemicals. Adding anti-bacterial properties allows the substance to be used in medical dressings to reduce infection.

The Penn State team now needs to find out how to make the proteins without using squid or their teeth.

"The next step would be to see if clothes can self-repair when we pour the liquid into a washing machine, like you would a detergent, and apply water and heat," said Demirel.

He said the coating is less than a micron deep, so it won't be noticed in everyday wear. He said this is the first time science has made self-healing textiles.

An intriguing video of the squid protein is on YouTube here.

Tagssquid ring teeth, self-healing textiles, Pennsylvania State University, Melik C. Demirel