I wouldn't call the surface "self-repairing". It's just an idea to create multiple layers in manufacturing. When one layer breaks down, there are other pre-built layers that can be used.<p>Not nearly as interesting as the title suggests.
Another approach to attack the holy grail of self cleaning surfaces: Damaged surface segments on self cleaning materials form a point of 'dirt crystalization'. From these points, dirt starts to cover the surface.<p>This problem is addressed by Rühe's* paper [1] with a creative "shedding concept". Upon damage, water can access the water soluble glue material upon which the water repelling elements are sitting. The damaged hydrophobic element rinsed away, exposing a fresh hydrophobic element. Unfortunately, the regenerative potential is limited to the number of sacrificial hydrophobic elements.<p><pre><code> [1] 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b00814
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* Disclaimer: I met Jürgen in a joint group meetings during the Macromolecular Kolloquium in Freiburg. Great to see his name again via HN.. this was such a long time ago!
Agree with previous commenters. Interesting, but I can't wait to see materials that truly regenerate – rather than simply providing a buffer against initial damage.