Self-Healing, Reinforced, Multifunctional Composite Material

Physical Sciences Inc. and the University of Delaware propose a novel self-healing, damage-sensing, reinforced polymer composite concept for use in degradation-resistant structural applications. In Phase I we investigated the feasibility of a microcapsule-based self-healing system and a damage-sensing functionality. The objective of Phase II is to develop a reinforced composite material that incorporates the self-healing and damage-sensing capabilities developed in Phase I. Toward this end, we will investigate the self-healing efficiency of the multifunctional composite and characterize the mechanical and damage-sensing properties of the material. We will design a scalable fabrication process for production of the multifunctional material. The implementation of this method and transition of the developed technology to structural applications are planned for Phase III.