Hot Wheels Change Color

Frank Kelley of the University of Akron and Barry Rosenbaum of Omnova Solutions, a chemical company, have developed a rubber compound that changes color from black to red when tire temperatures rise above 77 degrees Celsius. This may be significant as a warning mechanism for overheated tires, a major cause of blowouts which are blamed for an estimated 10,000 injuries per year. The researchers hope to sell their product to the tire industry in the near future.

One would be led to surmise that further research could result in a rubber that displays a series of colors through a range of temperatures. Just think, you could look at a parking lot and figure out who just showed up.