SHEMAT

Training Network for Self-Healing Materials: from Concepts to Market

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The aim of the present Marie Curie project proposal is the development of self-healing materials, the market implementation for the most promising material concepts and developments as well as the training of young scientists and their knowledge transfer in mutual interaction programs due to the distinct interdisciplinary shape of the project.

The partners intend to address both actual fundamental research in material development as well as the complementary aspects of conceptual process chain analysis from a more industrial perspective. We have chosen to restrict our research to self healing material concepts with an existing sizeable academic development base and a sufficient number of positive findings to ensure a significant possibility of successful conversion to industrial application. If we succeed in bridging the gaps in knowledge and understanding for these promising materials, industrial development of these concepts and technologies is to be expected. This can only be achieved if specific interdisciplinary training is provided to young researchers, to master the concepts, know how to quantify healing, and how to position these materials in the application fields. Finally, it should be made clear that, notwithstanding the industrial oriented approach in this proposal, the work to be undertaken will always be of the highest scientific/academic character and aims to set a new standard in the development of novel material concepts.

The objects of the proposal are

-training and education for junior researchers and a strong support for the interdisciplinarity of the project to ensure technology transfer from laboratory research to industrial application -promote actual self-healing strategies an concepts that address current materials or engineering limitations to application -exploit the existing scientific and technological leadership of the partners to deliver viable and advanced solutions for the commercial exploitation of self-healing materials.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU project is assessing the technical and market potential for self-healing in various materials, including polymers, polymer composites, concrete and ceramics. The novel processes show promise.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Certain types of synthetic materials are designed to chemically repair cracks and other defects in their structure. Such materials are widely referred to as self-healing, and often have durability advantages.

The EU-funded 'Training network for self-healing materials: From concepts to market' (SHEMAT) project is investigating these materials. The nine-member consortium primarily aims to implement self-healing in various materials, and to commercialise the developments.

Additionally, SHEMAT intends to develop standardised methods for characterisation of self-healing potential. The goal is key to commercialisation, and unique to SHEMAT. The project focuses on four types of material: polymers, fibre-reinforced polymer composites, concrete and ceramics. The three-year undertaking concludes at the end of 2015.

To date, 15 young researchers have been selected for the project's career-development programme.

Work began with a workshop intended to define the assessment of self-healing materials, which is a step towards a method for characterisation.

Additionally, the team compared the economic costs of large-scale bacterial spore production under classic and new culture conditions for concrete applications. The research concluded that the novel technique, in combination with water treatment waste products, leads to a significant cost reduction.

The study also demonstrated that self-healing thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) can be realised under certain chemical conditions. Healing of crack damage in such materials occurs by oxidation at service temperatures. The TBC concept has been transferred to a new EU project for commercial exploitation.

In addition, the project has demonstrated self-healing of MAX phases with aluminium compounds, whereby selective oxidation fills damaged sites. The crack-healing process is applicable to various titanium and chromium compounds. Full quantification has been presented in one case, showing that full strength recovery and repetitive healing is possible. Manufacturing options are being considered.

To date, SHEMAT has achieved progress towards defining the chemistry of certain self-healing material applications. The results facilitate commercial application of the processes.