Technology
Self-Healing Polymer Composites in Aerospace Structures
Quick fact
Research on self-healing composites has demonstrated up to 100% recovery of fracture toughness in some polymer systems, using embedded microcapsules that rupture and release healing agents.
Why this is interesting
Imagine an airplane wing that can heal its own microscopic cracks while flying, like human skin repairing a cut. How can a material 'bleed' and then mend itself without any human intervention?