Scientists develop self-healing polymer for underwater use
Researchers have created a novel polymer material that autonomously repairs damage while submerged in water. This breakthrough could transform maintenance in marine and underwater environments. The innovation was detailed in a study published on September 27, 2025.
A team of engineers from the University of California, led by Dr. Elena Vasquez, has engineered a self-healing polymer capable of mending cracks and tears in underwater conditions. The material, composed of dynamic covalent bonds and hydrophilic components, restores its structural integrity within hours of damage, even at depths simulating ocean pressures up to 100 meters.
The development stems from three years of research into adaptive materials for harsh environments. Initial tests in 2022 focused on dry conditions, but challenges with water interference prompted innovations in bond chemistry. By September 2025, the team achieved a 95% healing efficiency in saline water, as verified through tensile strength measurements before and after simulated damage.
"This polymer doesn't just survive water; it thrives in it, enabling applications like self-repairing submarine hulls or underwater pipelines," Vasquez stated in the study's summary. The material's key feature is its ability to form reversible cross-links that activate upon hydration, a process not feasible with previous hydrophobic self-healers.
Background context highlights the need for such technology amid growing offshore infrastructure, including wind farms and deep-sea mining. Traditional repairs require dry-docking or diver interventions, costing billions annually. While lab results are promising, field trials are planned for 2026 in the Pacific Ocean.
No major contradictions appear in the reporting, though the study notes limitations in extreme temperatures below 5°C, where healing slows to 70% efficiency. Implications extend to biomedical uses, such as implantable devices that self-repair in bodily fluids, but commercialization may take 5-10 years pending scalability tests.