These unmovable surfaces are harsh on bare feet, and the thin rubber sole of many flip-flops does little to adequately absorb the shock they produce.

CNN: Flip-flops present feet with a painful problem

When pressurized water is fed over such an intersection, the pressure pushes down the thin layer of rubber, separating it from the fluid below, and it clamps shut the fluid channel below, like stepping on a hose.

FORBES: Science Beyond Belief

Once the beads have been mixed into the liquid rubber, it is rolled out into a thin film and cut into sheets.

ECONOMIST: Showing off