Microfibres and hydrogels to promote autogenous healing in cementitious materials

Cementitious materials are sensitive to crack formation and it would be beneficial if the material could stop the crack propagation, repair the damage and reach again the original liquid-tightness and/or strength. Therefore, a cementitious material with synthetic microfibres and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) is proposed. Upon crack formation,...

Self-healing processes in plants: A treasure trove for biomimetic self-repairing materials

After an artificial injury in succulent leaves of Delosperma cooperi and Delosperma ecklonis rapid wound sealing by deformation of the entire leaf takes place within approximately 90 minutes. On the basis of comparative anatomical and biomechanical analyses of the closely related species conclusions can be drawn on necessary boundary conditions...