Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Smart Stuff: The Plaster That Streches Life (2002x4)

: 29, 2002

What connects the sticky plaster with replacing damaged parts of our bodies? The humble plaster is one of the simplest steps on the road to repairing the damaged body, yet it is a marvel of chemical engineering - a miniature hospital, dispensing everything from antibiotics to aftercare. But how does the plaster stick, and how does it allow the wound to breathe, while at the same time keep it dry? Our knowledge of the chemistry of our bodies now extends far beyond plasters. Now we have soap, toothpaste & shampoo that make us smell nice, our parents look younger and our teeth last as long as we do. Check out the lecture to discover more!