Scientists develop non-stick chewing gum

Scientists have developed a non-stick chewing gum that can be easily removed from pavements, shoes and clothes.

The new gum, the result of polymer research at the University of Bristol, could be launched commercially in 2008, its developers said on Friday.

If it catches on, the product will solve a major headache for local authorities around the world.

"The advantage of our Clean Gum is that it has a great taste, it is easy to remove and has the potential to be environmentally degradable," said Terence Cosgrove, a professor of chemistry who helped found a company called Revolymer to commercialize the technology.

Today's chewing gums are made from synthetic latex, which is resistant to the weather and is strongly adhesive. The new gum adds a special polymer to modify its properties, making it far less sticky.

In two street trials, leading commercial gums remained stuck to the pavement three out or four times, while Clean Gum came away naturally in all cases, Revolymer said.

(Agencies)

近日，科學(xué)家們研發(fā)出一種“不粘口香糖”，這種新型口香糖很容易從街道、鞋子和衣服上清除。

據(jù)該產(chǎn)品的開發(fā)商上周五介紹，這種新型口香糖是由英國布里斯托爾大學(xué)聚合體研究中心研發(fā)出來的，有望于明年上市。

如果這種口香糖上市，能為世界各地的政府解決一個大難題。

布里斯托爾大學(xué)的化學(xué)教授特倫斯•考斯格魯夫說：“我們這種‘清潔口香糖’口味好、易清除、而且具有可降解性。” 他協(xié)助成立了一個名叫Revolymer的公司，以實(shí)現(xiàn)該項(xiàng)技術(shù)的商業(yè)化。

現(xiàn)在的口香糖是由合成乳膠制成的，這種物質(zhì)對外界環(huán)境具有抵抗性（無法分解），而且粘性很強(qiáng)。新型口香糖中添加了一種能改變其屬性的特殊聚合物，從而使它的粘性大大降低。

據(jù)Revolymer公司介紹，兩次街道測試的結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)，現(xiàn)在市面上四分之三的口香糖都會粘在街道上， 而“清潔口香糖”在任何情況下都能自然脫落。