Regenerative Polymeric Coatings Enabled by Pressure Responsive Surface Valves

Protective coatings safeguard the underlying substrate material from environmental attack and are critical for operating in harsh conditions. Self‐healing materials have been developed for the autonomous repair of damage in coatings. This work demonstrates a regenerative coating system that is a simplified synthetic analog of skin. A protective UV curable coating reforms with properties identical to the native coating after complete removal. An integrated surface valve prevents premature curing of healing agent contained within a vascular substrate prior to damage‐triggered release, facilitating recovery from repeat damage. The protective coating reforms when exposed to simulated sunlight. A protective polymeric coating is regenerated in response to abrasive damage. Abrasion exposes the underlying vasculature, and UV curable epoxy healing agent is delivered to the site of damage via a pressure responsive surface valve. The protective coating is reformed when exposed to simulated sunlight.