3D-Printable\nElastomers for Real-Time Autonomous Self-Healing\nin Soft Devices

Photocurable self-healing elastomers are promising candidates\nfor\nproducing complex soft devices that can mend damage. However, the\npracticality of these materials is limited by reliance on external\nstimuli, custom synthesis, manual realignment, and multihour healing\ncycles. This paper introduces a tough 3D-printable hybrid acrylate/thiol-ene\nelastomer (prepared with commercially available precursors) that exhibits\nnearly instantaneous damage repair in the absence of external stimuli.\nThis rapid, hydrogen bond-driven self-healing enables meaningful restoration\nof mechanical properties, including tensile strains up to 344% post-damage.\nFurthermore, structured herringbone grafts are showcased as a compelling\nstrategy to enable cohesive failure away from healed interfaces, realizing\nup to 18× increases in toughness from only modest increases in\ninterfacial surface area. Prototype soft robotic devices fabricated\nusing vat photopolymerization demonstrate self-healing within seconds\nunder ambient conditions and without external intervention. These\nresults demonstrate a scalable strategy to provide real-time, autonomous\nfunctionality restoration in damaged soft devices.