# Self-Healing Rubber Tires This New Tire Production Process Can Allow Flat Tires to Heal Themselves By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-09-24 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfhealing-rubber References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/self-healing-tires/39540/) & [acs.org](http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2015/acs-presspac-september-23-2015/toward-tires-that-repair-themselves-video.html) A group of scientists drawn from the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Tampere University of Technology and the Dresden University of Technology have teamed up to develop self-healing rubber tire technology. There are few things as annoying as suffering a [flat tire](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hunter-engineering) and having to patch or replace it. Now however, [damaged tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/durable-commercial-tire) could be left for a few hours to heal on their own. Tires these days are usually manufactured using the process of vulcanization, which involves adding compounds such as a sulfur to the rubber. This improves the tire's durability by forming sturdy cross-links. However, once broken, these links cannot be repaired. These [self-healing rubber tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfrepairing-uv-tech) get around that problem by discarding the vulcanization aspect altogether. The addition of a special carbon/nitrogen compound allows the tires to heal themselves. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Self-healing Rubber Tires:** This technology allows rubber tires to heal themselves, eliminating the need for patching or replacing. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Tire Manufacturing:** Integrating self-healing technology in tire manufacturing could revolutionize the industry and enhance tire durability. - **Automotive:** Self-healing rubber tires could provide a safer and more convenient driving experience, reducing the frequency of tire-related incidents. - **Materials Science:** Developing self-healing rubber tire technology is an exciting innovation opportunity within the field of materials science, with potential applications in other industries as well. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Space-Inspired Airless Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metl-tire.md) - [Airless Machinery Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airless-machine-tires.md) - [Automated Tire-Changing Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tire-changing-system.md) - [Airless Bicycle Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airless-bicycle-tires.md) - [Eco-Friendly Automotive Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-tires.md) - [Transforming Smart Vehicle Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conqueror-tire.md) - [Recycled Carbon Fiber Sealants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silca-ultimate-tubeless-sealant.md) - [Omnidirectional Autonomous Vehicle Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hankook-tire-wheelbot.md) - [Eco-Friendly Performance Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pirelli-p-zero.md)