Computer simulations have shown that hydrophobic nanoparticles encapsulated in a deformable shell can repair surfaces in a manner that is similar to the way white blood cells work in the body.

In the technique, a hydrolysis reaction takes place in small water droplets dispersed in hydrophobic solvent. The resultant oxide nanoparticles repel each other in the right solution. But a better ...

“The metal oxide nanoparticles are well dispersed in the PDMS polymer,” the scientists explained. “Through the hydrophobic chain of PDMS, PDMS-SiO2 nanoparticles cross-link with one ...