SPP 1568
Design and Generic Principles of Self-Healing Materials

Self-healing materials are able to partially or completely heal (mechanical) damage inflicted on them in situ and to such a degree that the original functionality is restored. The main objective of the priority programme “SPP1568 – Design and Generic Principles of Self-Healing Materials” is to elucidate fundamental cross-disciplinary, material-independent principles and design strategies for the development of novel self-healing materials. Moreover, the knowledge gained should be applied to new approaches for different material classes - from polymers and composites over ceramics and concrete to metals. The ultimate goal is to provide a new generation of adaptive high-performance materials that can be used for various applications in technology and medicine.

The priority programme is currently in the second phase. In 14 scientific projects different self-healing materials are investigated (9x polymer, 2x ceramics, 1x metals, 2x functional materials).