Self-healing and adaptive materials and systems

Abstract

Solid electrolyte and at least one of piezoelectric and thermoelectric materials are incorporated into material systems to provide them with self-healing and adaptive qualities. The piezoelectric and thermoelectric constituents convert the mechanical and thermal energy, respectively, concentrated in critical areas into electrical energy which, in turn, guides and drives electrolytic transport of mass within solid electrolyte towards and its electrodeposition at critical areas to render self-healing and adaptive effects. Material systems incorporating the solid electrolyte but not the piezoelectric and thermoelectric constituents are also amenable to healing and adaptive effects through external application of electric potential for electrolytic transport of mass towards and its electrodeposition at critical areas.

1 . Self-healing and adaptive materials and systems incorporating solid electrolytes with dissolved salts, and at least one of piezoelectric and thermoelectric materials, wherein gradient stress or temperature distributions indicating development of critical areas with elevated stress or temperature levels induce, via at least one of piezoelectric and thermoelectric effects, gradient electric potentials which transport substance towards and deposit it at said critical areas by electrolytic processes within solid electrolyte, rendering self-healing and adaptive effects.  
   
   
       2 . The self-healing and adaptive materials and systems of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of structural, protective and functional constituents are incorporated to meet service requirements.  
   
   
       3 . The self-healing and adaptive materials and systems of  claim 1 , wherein the solid electrolytes are at least one of inorganic, organic and composite ion-conducting materials.  
   
   
       4 . The self-healing and adaptive materials and systems of  claim 1 , wherein the salts dissolved in solid electrolytes are metal salts, with self-healing and adaptive effects involving electrolytic transport of metal cations and electrodeposition of metals at critical areas.  
   
   
       5 . The self-healing and adaptive materials and systems of  claim 1 , wherein the salts dissolved in solid electrolytes are metal salts, and metal fillers are also incorporated into the solid electrolyte, with electrostripping of metal fillers providing additional metal cations to be transported and electrodeposited to render self-healing and adaptive effects.  
   
   
       6 . The self-healing and adaptive materials and systems of  claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric constituents are at least one of inorganic, organic and composite piezoelectric materials.  
   
   
       7 . The self-healing and adaptive materials and systems of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric constituents are at least one of metallic, inorganic, organic and composite thermoelectric materials.  
   
   
       8 . Materials and systems that are amenable to externally stimulated healing and adaptive effects, incorporating solid electrolytes with dissolved salts and optionally at least one of structural, protective and functional constituents, wherein external application of electric potential to the system transports substance towards and deposits it at said critical areas by electrolytic processes within solid electrolyte, to heal damaged or defective areas, or to adapt the material to new service requirements.  
   
   
       9 . The materials and systems of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of structural, protective and functional constituents are incorporated to meet service requirements.  
   
   
       10 . The materials and systems of  claim 8 , wherein the solid electrolytes are at least one of inorganic, organic and composite ion-conducting materials.  
   
   
       11 . The materials and systems of  claim 8 , wherein the salt dissolved in solid electrolyte is a metal salt, with the healing and adaptive effects involving electrolytic transport of metal cation and electrodeposition of metal at critical areas.  
   
   
       12 . The materials and systems of  claim 8 , wherein the salt dissolved in solid electrolyte is a metal salt, and metal fillers are also incorporated into the solid electrolyte, with electrostripping of metal fillers providing additional metal cations to be transported and electrodeposited to render self-healing and adaptive effects.