Gum splattered streets could soon be no more thanks to a virtually non-stick chewing gum that has been invented by UK scientists.Now Revolymer, a Bristol University spin-out company, claims that it has created a new material which can be added to gum that makes it much easier to remove from surfaces.
The researchers have been testing the gum - a working name is Rev7 - on a number of surfaces.
Recent tests on four different types of paving stones showed that the gum vanished from the surfaces within 24 hours - possibly removed by rain from the UK's very wet summer or street cleaning - while other gums remained stuck for several days.
For some types of shoe, the gum could be pulled straight off immediately; other shoe types needed water to wash it off; while leather soles needed water and a detergent to detach the gum. Commercial gums remained stuck fast.
The team also tested the gum on one of the most tricky surfaces - hair. Using the company CEO's daughter - who said she was due a haircut - as a volunteer, they attached commercial gum to one side of her hair and Rev7 to the other. The commercial gum eventually had to be cut out, but Rev7 could be mostly removed using water, shampoo and a comb.
The scientist said 20 people had tasted the gum and said it was comparable to commercial gum in terms of taste and texture.
The company now needs to get its polymer accepted as a food product by passing EU health and safety tests. It can then go on sale.
Video: Itn
Source: BBC
Tags: Non-Stick | Chewing Gum | Rev7 | Now Revolymer | Gum
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