Self-healing cars may seem like something out of science fiction, but they could soon be part of our reality. Utilizing advanced materials, self-healing car parts and coatings could repair scratches, dents and other forms of damage on their own.
This technology helps reduce maintenance costs and extend vehicle lifespan, and many auto manufacturers and suppliers are investing in self-healing materials research and development programs.
How Self-Healing Cars Work
Scientists and engineers are making science fiction come true with self-healing cars that repair themselves. From self-healing paint protection film to carbon nanotubes that repair cracks in bodywork, these technological advancements could enable drivers to never worry about getting scratches or dent on their cars again.
These self-healing properties of materials are grounded in nanotechnology principles. At the microscopic scale, elements begin to behave differently from how they would in larger scale situations, opening up previously unimagined possibilities.
Implementing revolutionary materials into mass production presents many unique challenges. For example, installing self-healing components into vehicles requires high levels of stability while still keeping their healing abilities active. Furthermore, many self-healing materials require certain environmental conditions in order to activate and heal on their own – this necessitates innovative engineering solutions that fit seamlessly into current production processes.
Self-Healing Paint Protection Film
Auto engineers have come a long way in developing self-healing materials to repair minor vehicle damages, with paint protection film among the most promising applications. It can protect your car against road debris, bug acids, bird droppings and harsh sunlight rays while shielding it from road debris, bug acids, bird droppings and harmful UV rays.
PPF can reorganize its molecules when exposed to heat, and can effectively “heal” any light scratches or blemishes left on your car’s surface. To speed this process up, park it in the sun or apply heat gun heat directly onto the film – and watch as those scratches vanish before your very eyes!
In 2011, XPEL revolutionized the industry with the world’s first self-healing clear bra paint protection film, and today we are delighted to introduce ULTIMATE PLUS, our most advanced protective film ever. Offering incredible durability, five to ten year manufacturer warranties and cutting edge edge seal technology patented edge seal technology; scratches will dissipate gradually without becoming permanent, saving money in the long run.
Self-Healing Metals
Future cars might have the ability to self-repair themselves in such a way as to eliminate the need for repairs, even potentially preventing any further damage from occurring in the first place.
This may sound futuristic, but the reality is closer than you may realize. Researchers recently discovered that some metals have the ability to self-heal. This counterintuitive discovery occurs due to reversible atomic bonding and network formation when exposed to certain environmental conditions.
Korean researchers have developed a transparent coating that can automatically repair scratches within 30 minutes when exposed to sunlight, using photon energy that penetrates its surface. The same technology can also protect against corrosion and environmental degradation; thus decreasing early repair costs while potentially saving drivers billions in maintenance expenses over time.
Self-Healing Tires
Science fiction fans rejoice! Not only are self-healing materials fantastic toys for science fiction enthusiasts, they are an incredible way to reduce environmental waste. Self-healing materials could significantly cut back on traditional auto parts that consume natural resources when produced but produce pollution when scrapped at their end of life cycle.
An experimental tire made of materials known as plastic polymers uses compounds to renew its chemical bonds with rubber, helping prevent air pressure loss in case of punctures or damage. It differs significantly from run-flat tires seen on many cars which use thick ring of hard rubber that surrounds and supports their wheels during driving.
Self-healing cars may still be several years away, but this technology is making waves in the automotive world every year. We look forward to witnessing what breakthroughs self-healing materials bring to automotive manufacturing!
