Heal thyself

The effectiveness of thin anti-corrosive and adhesive coatings on an aircraft
fuselage is severely reduced if they are damaged by heat. But now researchers
from North Carolina State University in Raleigh have discovered that a coating
made from chains of phosphonic acid, combined with carbon, can “heal” itself if
exposed to mild heat. They found that molecules of the substance can be
encouraged to migrate to damaged areas, where they form a strong adhesive bond
with the underlying material.