Self-healing wire technology has been developed as part of an FAA initiative to combat the problems associated with ageing aircraft. As part of a suite of research projects at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) aimed at eliminating the time-consuming task of tracing wire faults, wire that can repair its own insulation after it is damaged was developed by research chemist Robert Kauffman. A nontoxic, water-based solution called Patch (power activated technology for coating and healing), which contains a polymer–similar to white craft glue–that can be embedded in wiring insulation. When the wire suffers a fault, its arcing electricity acts as a catalyst to trigger a chemical reaction. The polymer then reacts with ambient moisture to form a chemically bonded skin over the breached area. According to the researchers, adding the healing properties should entail merely dipping the wire in a bath of the solution and letting it dry before adding the outside insulation.
30-Jul-09 
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