Goodyear's New Tire Concept Can Regenerate Tread on the Go

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When all-electric vehicles eventually complete their global takeover, they'll collectively require much less maintenance than their oiled up, transmission-based counterparts. As for the tires? That's a different story.


To help drivers avoid the misery of waiting around for a tire change, Goodyear has introduced an intriguing new concept: tires that can regenerate new tread on the spot.

Here's how Goodyear says it will work: At the core of the tire is a refillable reservoir that contains a specialized liquid compound. Over time, that liquid is forced from its reservoir and oozes toward the outside of the tire, where capsule-shaped units of tread populate the circumference. Similar to a Push Pop or a tube of lip balm, the liquid compound will slide into the place of the former tread, where it will solidify.
The idea is that your tires will never go bald, so unless you have a major puncture wound to deal with, you'll require virtually zero tire replacements. Still, if these tires become reality, you'll have to stock up on replacement liquid compound.
To reinforce the tread, specialized fibers inspired by spider silk—an ultra tough substance that's stronger than steel, yet more flexible than a rubber band—are embedded in the liquid compound. This mixture is biodegradable.

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