AFOSR's Aerospace Materials Science Directorate was the first major funding agency to step forward and award the UI research team a three-year grant in 1999. Without this grant, could not have assembled the required number of people needed to work on this project.

This breakthrough substance consists of a microencapsulated healing agent and a special catalyst that are embedded in a structural matrix. The material was designed to increase the reliability and longevity of thermosetting polymers used in applications ranging from microelectronics to aerospace.

This new material was inspired by biological systems in which damage triggers an automatic healing process. This new material is being designed to heal itself whenever cracked or broken. The initial results we

One of the major challenges for the researchers has been obtaining the proper microcapsule size. They are currently using .004 in. diameter spheres; if they use any larger capsules the matrix would be too weak. Further research continues to create ever-smaller sphere capsules. Another very important factor is the shell thickness of the sphere. If the shell is too thick it might not rupture when the crack approaches, and if it is too then it might rupture during processing.

Although an operational system may still be five to ten years away, the preliminary results provide promising possibilities for the Air Force, as well as potential commercial applications.

The upside to this research for the Air Force is based upon the fact that there are many polymer based composites in aircraft, and they frequently experience structural damage in the form of micro cracks. The cracks are very hard to detect because they form deep within the aircraft and are almost impossible to repair. Therefore with this potential new material the repair process becomes transparent since i

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Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)