Autonomous Indication of Mechanical Damage in Polymeric Coatings.

Li, Wenle; Matthews, Christopher C; Yang, Ke; Odarczenko, Michael T; White, Scott R; Sottos, Nancy R · Adv Mater · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

High-resolution in situ autonomous visual indication of mechanical damage is achieved through a microcapsule-based polymeric material system. Upon mechanical damage, ruptured microcapsules release a liquid indicator molecule. A sharp color change from light yellow to bright red is triggered when the liberated indicator 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein reacts with the polymeric coating matrix.