A Transparent, Self‐Healing, Highly Stretchable Ionic Conductor

Self-healing materials can repair damage caused by mechanical wear, thereby extending lifetime of devices. A transparent, self-healing, highly stretchable ionic conductor is presented that autonomously heals after experiencing severe mechanical damage. The design of this self-healing polymer uses ion-dipole interactions as the dynamic motif. The unique properties of this material when used to electrically activate transparent artificial muscles are demonstrated.

• OO
  Office of Science

  Award: DE‐SC0016269
• UO
  University of Colorado Boulder