Self-Repairing Aircraft In The Future?
Aircraft that are damaged while flying could automatically repair themselves in the future, by using methods similar to the natural healing found in nature.
One possibility is the use of resins that would ooze into cracks on demand and that would make possible aircrafts that are lighter, cheaper and would save fuel. It could be done by filling hollow fibers with hardeners and epoxy resin. When the aircraft is damaged and has holes, these vessels would bleed out and seal them.
Up to 90% of the original strength of the material could be regained this way, enough to allow the plane to reach its destination.
