TS.III.A
| Self-Healing and Self-Adapting: development of multifunctional materials inspired by nature |
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| The ability to repair structural damages is a fascinating feature of living organisms, which is inspiring an emerging field of research in materials science. In the last decade different approaches have been explored for the preparation of a new generation of materials able to restore their pristine properties after damaging has occurred. Self-adaptation and self-repairing in materials can be induced by purely autonomous mechanisms, or triggered by external stimuli, both approaches featuring different advantages and disadvantages. In this respect the development of materials with such smart properties requires a multidisciplinary approach, with contributions and expertise from the chemistry, physics and engineering knowledge domains, to translate complex mechanisms and phenomena existing in nature to the new artificial materials. The application of such concepts will open to a new generation of devices with stimuli-responsiveness ability inducing self-adaptation and self-healing, thus with greatly expanded functionality and impact in a broad range of applications such as medicine, catalysis and in extreme environments. | Sep 21 15:00 16:30 |
