Damage Detection: Autonomous Indication of Mechanical Damage in Polymeric Coatings (Adv. Mater. 11/2016).

Smart polymeric materials that autonomously indicate mechanically damaged areas are developed by N. R. Sottos and co-workers, as described on page 2189. Microcapsules containing the color-changing indicator are homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix. Mechanical damage (e.g., scratch, abrasion, or compression) causes the microcapsules to rupture and release the core materials. A dramatic color change is initiated immediately to highlight the damaged regions.