Scientists have observed pieces of metal crack and then fuse back together without any human intervention, challenging long-held scientific beliefs. If this phenomenon can be harnessed, it could lead to self-healing engines, bridges, and airplanes that can reverse damage caused by wear and tear. Fatigue damage, which causes machines to break, occurs when microscopic cracks grow and spread over time. The research team from Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University made the unexpected observation during an experiment. This discovery could have significant implications for engineering and materials science.
https://newsreleases.sandia.gov/healing_metals/