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Chemistry

Understanding the Chemistry Behind Self-Healing Polymers That Repair Cracks Autonomically

Quick fact

Some self-healing polymers can restore up to nearly 100% of their original mechanical strength after being cut, simply by applying gentle heat or pressure that triggers latent chemical reactivity.

Why this is interesting

Every time a crack forms in a plastic toy or a polymer coating, it's permanent—unless the material is one of a new class of 'self-healing' polymers. How can a synthetic material repair itself, and what chemistry makes it possible?