selfhealingin

Selfhealingin is a term used in materials science and engineering to denote systems capable of repairing damage autonomously, with little or no human intervention, to restore original properties and functionality. The concept draws on natural processes where living tissues repair after injury, and is applied across solids, liquids, and coatings. The term can encompass both passive healing mechanisms embedded during fabrication and active responses triggered by damage.

Common approaches include microencapsulated healing agents in polymers that rupture and release resin when cracks form, vascular networks that transport healing liquids to damaged sites, and reversible chemical bonds that re-form after damage. Intrinsic methods rely on the inherent properties of materials to heal, while extrinsic methods incorporate healing capsules or channels.

Applications span construction materials such as concrete with encapsulated or bacteria-enabled healing agents; polymers and composites for aerospace and automotive components; protective coatings that autonomously seal scratches; and, in some research contexts, electronics and soft robotics where damage can be repaired without disassembly.

Evaluation of selfhealingin systems focuses on healing efficiency, time to seal, restoration of strength, and durability under repeated loading and environmental exposure. Challenges include ensuring long-term viability of healing agents, avoiding adverse reactions with service environments, maintaining material properties after healing, and scaling manufacturing costs to practical levels.

Current research directions emphasize multi-scale modeling of healing processes, smart healing that responds to sensors, and hybrid approaches combining multiple mechanisms to extend service life and reduce maintenance in infrastructure and devices.