Self healing is a process of restoring or healing the body. This process is driven by the patient’s instinct and motivation. It is a very amateur endeavor. Nevertheless, self healing can be a huge asset.
Autonomic vs non-autonomic systems
Autonomic and non-autonomic systems are two distinct but related entities. While non-autonomic systems operate by manual means, autonomic systems are self-managing. Self-managing systems require a few essential ingredients: open standards, transparent to the user, and relying on an open source software platform.
An autonomic system is an artificially intelligent computer system that is capable of analyzing data and making decisions on its own. For instance, an autonomic system is able to self-correct for errors and keep a tab on its resources. Aside from self-managing capabilities, an autonomous computing system also has to cope with the demands of its users. In other words, an autonomous computing system must be aware of its surroundings, anticipate its needs and provide services to users, while balancing its workloads.
The most interesting part of an autonomous system is its ability to perform in ways that humans cannot. This has led to an explosion of research, particularly in the area of intelligent robotics.
Chemical reversible covalent bonds
One method to enhance the self-healing ability of polymers is by adding reversible covalent bonds. These are different from permanent bonds because they break upon certain external stimulus, but then reform and recombine in the presence of other environmental factors. This allows for the dissipation of energy from the polymer network. The resulting materials are highly adhesive and have a high level of interfacial fluidity.
In order to create reversible chemical bonds, the environment and the materials used to create them need to be altered. This is typically achieved through a polymerization reaction. It is also possible to add exogenous forces, such as a magnetic field, ultrasonic pulse, or even light.
Some examples of reversible covalent bonds are dynamic hydrogels, hydrzone, and 4DP-PTU. They all have distinct properties that make them valuable for various applications.
Microcapsules
Self-healing microcapsules can be an effective repair method for cracked concrete. However, the extent of the self-healing reactions requires the study of cracks.
In this study, we investigated the effect of core-shell weight ratio on the healing rate of specimens cured with three different curing agents. A core-shell weight ratio of 6.2/1 was used. It was shown that the healing rate of specimens cured with FNA is significantly higher than the other two.
Three types of flurosilicates were introduced into cement mortar as curing agents. The three flurosilicates tested were MF, PMF, and FNA. They were selected based on their low cost and catalytic activity.
Microcapsules with a core-shell weight ratio of 6.2/1 were prepared. Each microcapsule consisted of a shell composed of a poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shell and a healing liquid.
Incorporation of sensors as part of battery cells
One of the challenges of designing and building self-healing batteries is the complexity of the battery cell. Its complexity is a key factor in incorporating sensor methods into the system.
As a result, the development of a self-healing system has been a top priority for materials scientists. A few approaches to this task have been proposed. Here, we present a method to identify and quantify the fault signal. This approach uses ambient sensors. The sensor is integrated into the battery module.
First, we measured the temperature of the cell. This measurement can be used to enhance the battery management system by monitoring the health of the cell. We also used fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors to measure pressure and strain. Using these techniques, we can evaluate the atmosphere properties at the location of the emitted infrared beam.
Applications in soft-robotics
Soft robots are a type of robotic devices that can perform complex functions. These are typically inspired by biology or nature. They have a wide range of degrees of freedom and are able to bend around obstacles. As a result, soft robots are suitable for handling delicate objects. However, they are susceptible to damage.
This can be prevented through the development of self-healing polymers. In addition, soft robots can be built using thermosetting elastomers.
These materials are often manufactured into various sizes and shapes, and can be adapted to meet the needs of different applications. One such application is for a soft electronic pump. The device can be powerful and versatile, and can be placed anywhere in a robotic vehicle.
This device can be used to drive a bidirectional two-chamber bending actuator. The actuation is accomplished by turning the coils on and off according to position.
