A review of vascular networks for self-healing applications

Abstract Increasing awareness for sustainability has led to the development of smart self-healing materials, which can extend service life and improve safety without human intervention. Vascular networks are observed in biological systems, such as leaf venation blood vascular provide inspiration mechanisms engineered systems. Embedding a network host material advantage addressing varying magnitudes damage allowing an indefinite replenishment healing agent, current limitations intrinsic capsule-based These demonstrated polymer composite with fabrication methods including removal sacrificial elements, electrospinning, array additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. Advances AM allow more complex configurations be realized that optimize fluid distribution potential. This review intends comprehensive overview progress design approaches, methods, mechanisms, relevant applications embedded networks. Additionally, significant research gaps future directions materials described.