Microfluidic generation of self-contained multicomponent microcapsules for self-healing materials.

Bioinspired self-healing carriers can cost-effectively repair crack damage in functional materials without detection, analysis, or any type of human intervention. In this study, an effective structured self-healing microcarrier is prepared through a single-step microfluidic method. These microcarriers are self-contained core-shell microcapsules with the healant and the curing agent encapsulated in separate chambers of a single capsule. Because microfluidics are versatile, our fabrication method generates unique structures in which the ratio of the agents can be precisely adjusted, and thus, the reaction kinetics and the cost can be well controlled. Such carriers can be embedded into various material matrices, including bulk pellets and film materials, which maintain satisfactory mechanical properties after being damaged and repaired. These attractive features may establish an approach for microfluidic preparation of self-healing materials and may open up avenues for the development of intelligent self-healing materials for military equipment, electronic products, architectural materials, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]