Guest Editors:
Jeffrey P. Youngblood and Nancy R. SottosThis issue of MRS Bulletin highlights two promising classes of bio-inspired materials systems: surfaces that can self-clean and polymers that can self-heal. Self-cleaning surfaces are based on the superhydrophobic effect, which causes water droplets to roll off with ease, carrying away dirt and debris. Design of these surfaces is inspired by the hydrophobic micro- and nano-structures of a lotus leaf. Self-healing materials are motivated by biological systems in which damage triggers a site-specific, autonomic healing response. Self-healing has been achieved using several different approaches for storing and triggering healing functionality in the polymer. This issue examines the most successful strategies for self-cleaning and self-healing materials, and discusses future research directions and opportunities for commercial applications
On the Cover | Masthead
J.P. Youngblood and N.R. Sottos, Guest Editors (with contributions by C. Extrand)

