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Self-repairing Aircraft

Posted by geeknews at 12:37 PM on May 20, 2008

A new ability that is similar to a healing process found in nature could let aircrafts mend themselves during flight This self healing process could help in the construction of new airplanes in many ways. By making them lighter, help fuel savings, cut cost for airlines and passengers, and reducing carbon emissions.

The process is pretty remarkable If there is a hole in the plane somehow (due to wear and tear, something hitting the plane, etc) epoxy resin would “bleed” from embedded vessels near the hole/crack and quickly seal it up. And by simply adding color dye they can see the colored patches so they know to fix it when they land.

This could help in many ways. It could help save many lives on a commercial plane, possibly be able to help aircrafts in the military, or even private planes. This is just another improvement in technology thanks to mother nature. [ScienceDaily.com]

This article was submitted by William M. as part of a contest we are having on my podcast.

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One Comment

  1. From stevo at 7:14 pm on May 20, 2008

    thats some cool stuff… i like it…

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