New polymer makes fishing lines change color under stress
Just checked the calendar, and it looks like it's time for our annual fishing-technology story. A new fishing line developed at Case Western University uses a polymer that, when viewed under a UV light, changes color when it's under stress. The idea is that an angler could check his lines with a UV prior to casting, to make sure they haven't been stretched almost to the point of breaking. The polymer blend, now in the proof-of-concept phase, has other applications as well, including tamper-resistant packaging, which would change color if it's been opened and resealed. Researchers are also working on versions that could change color under visible light, eliminating the need for a UV bulb. Which sounds about right, since we can't imagine too many anglers sitting around unspooling their lines in front of a blacklight to make sure they haven't been stretched out.
[Thanks, Roland]
