Germany's Fraunhofer Institute Web site recently released news that the Institute researchers have developed nano-capsule containing the body plating coating technology can be released when repair damaged coating fluid, repair scratches, so as to create self - The more functionality a step further on metal surfaces.
Such as the human skin to create the same metal surfaces has been a dream of engineers. With a self-healing function of human skin, small scrapes and wounds will quickly heal without scarring. Engineers have been trying to make other materials also have this self-healing capabilities. The design program is evenly distributed through the plating layer of small fluid-filled sac to achieve their goals: Once the coating damage, broken at the small capsule will burst and outflow of liquid will "fix" scratch. But so far, this program subject to the physical size of the capsule can not succeed, because for about 20 microns thick plating layer, a 10 micron to 15 microns thylakoid too, will change the mechanical properties of electroplated layer.
Germany's Fraunhofer Institute and the University of Duisburg Essen, researchers funded by the Volkswagen Foundation to develop a new processing technology, can produce a plating layer containing nano-capsule. These small capsule diameter of only a few hundred nanometers, as compared with the original capsule body is simply not an order of magnitude. Martin Institute. Mei Cina Dr. pointed out that the process is the key to making plating layer does not destroy Nanocapsules. Because these nano-capsule cyst wall is thin, easily broken, the electrolyte used for plating process has a strong chemical properties, it can be easily destroyed. Therefore, researchers need to depending on the electrolyte, the use of compatible materials to manufacture these nano-capsule.
With the nano-capsule coating, metal surface with a scratch on the self-healing capabilities. For example, mechanical bearings, if the lack of lubricant, part of its plating layer will be damaged, broken nano-capsule will release a lubricant, so that bearings from damage.
At present, researchers have created nano-capsule containing copper, nickel, zinc coating, although its surface coverage, but a few centimeters. Experts estimate that the coating components to complete the work of the whole year and a half to two years time. The research team's next step is to design a more complex system??, Including nano-capsules filled with different liquids, in which the liquid can be the same as two-component adhesive react with each other. |
