FOR YEARS scientists have been working on developing machines that have the ability to mend themselves. Not only would this cut down on the cost of spare parts but also the time it takes to get them operational again. In 2017, the Brussels Human Robotics Research Center of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel announced it had given the ‘fingers’ of its robots “jelly-like polymers” that meld together when heated or cooled. I’m sure everyone involved was elated by this but it’s a
