Battelle Develops Self-Healing Smart Beads That Detect and Repair Corrosion
COLUMBUS, OH – Battelle scientists have developed a tiny bead, the Battelle Smart Corrosion Detector™ bead, that not only detects corrosion but delivers a payload to help heal the microscopic cracks that rust creates.
The beads look like a fine, whitish powder that can be mixed with coatings used to protect pipelines and other critical infrastructure subject to corrosion. The self-healing smart beads detect and reveal corrosion forming on metal before it is visible to the naked eye. Once activated, the 20-to-50-micron beads release a proprietary chemical that fills the cracks.