American scientists are looking to develop a new polymer that is capable of repairing itself when cracks appear.

Jeff Moore of the Beckmann Institute of the University of Illinois, who is leading the team, explained that central to the research is a ruthenium complex known as Grubb's catalyst.

Polymers are used in a wide range of applications such as electronic circuits, medical implants and aircraft parts but any deterioration can often lead to a major failure.

A self-repairing polymer would therefore possess much commercial value.

Mr Moore added that the polymer under development is an epoxy composite, containing microcapsules of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and Grubb's catalyst.

When a crack opens it causes DCPD to be leaked, which in turn reacts with the ruthenium catalyst particles, triggering a metathesis polymerisation reaction.

This cross-links the DCPD into a sticky material, which is able to seal the crack.

However, the DCPD-Grubb combination is extremely expensive, Process Engineering reports, so Moore's team is examining the use of similar techniques with different substances.