Multimedia Gallery
Self-healing Materials With Microvascular Networks (Image 4)
Optical image of a 104-layer microvascular network enclosed in a clear epoxy matrix, with quarter-dollar coin for scale.
In nature, damage to an organism elicits a healing response. A research team led by Scott White, group leader for the Autonomous Materials Systems group at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, decided to apply this concept to synthetic material design and developed a self-healing polymer. Tiny capsules containing a healing agent were embedded in the polymer. When the material is damaged, the capsule ruptures and releases the healing agent, which repairs cracks. Further information about this new generation of bio-inspired healing materials is available Here. [Adapted from Therriault et. Al., Advanced Materials, Vol. 17, 2005.] (Date of Image: 2003) [Image 4 of 5 related images. See Image 5.]
Credit: Daniel Therriault, University of Illinois, 2003; Support: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
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