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Polymer science

A material fix

The idea of materials that can mend themselves seems far-fetched. But a system that allows composite materials to 'self-heal' has been devised and has passed some early tests.

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Figure 1: Autonomic healing1 in action.

References

  1. White, S. R. et al. Nature 409, 794–797 (2001).

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  2. Wool, R. P. Polymer Interfaces: Structure and Strength (Hanser/Gardner, Munich, 1995).

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Correspondence to Richard P. Wool.

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Wool, R. A material fix. Nature 409, 773–774 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35057412

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