3oTrimestre15 | PROTECCIÓN LABORAL 84 Updated products CTCR research on Self-healing Polymer Materials The Footwear Technology Centre of La Rioja (CTCR) advances in the develop- ment of new polymeric materials having the ability to self-regenerate. The final application would allow the manufacture of shoe soles they can, independently, repair cracks that arise as a result of bending cycles, external damage, etc. Thus, it is possible to increase the durabil- ity thereof, among other benefits. Particu- larly, once the project is finished develop- ing an increased functional lifetime of materials and product safety, reducing replacement costs and a minimization of waste generated you will be obtained. One way being tested is the distribution of micro-capsules containing polymer potentially generating agents along acts as a matrix material. When a crack or break in said matrix originates, also occurs the breakage of microcapsules, thereby releasing the precursors con- tained therein, which, together with a catalyst, which may also be micro-encap- sulated or not, trigger forming a polymer sealing cause crack. Fields of application The applications of these materials are mainly oriented to the footwear manu- facturing industry resistant floors cracks, but can also benefit other sectors, such as construction (self-healing cement) or aeronautical engineering (part of the wings of the aircraft ), among many oth- ers. As we know, all current materials are worn or breaking irreparably over time. The main causes of degradation are oxidizing agents, pollution, bacteria, heat, light, external mechanical forces, insects, radiation and atmospheric agents such as wind or rain. Therefore, all industrial sectors are in need of gener- ating materials that are able to eliminate or at least reduce these usual wear processes. Remaining challenges Among the main barriers that must still overcome CTCR is obtaining a micro-encap- sulation appropriate reagents, recover the original material properties at the highest possible percentage materials or achieve self-repair reactions activated by water . As an alternative route, it is also working on obtaining polymers with intrinsic ability to self-repair, that is, they can regenerate with- out adding additional reagents. In conclusion, the CTCR, specifically the Department of nanotechnology and new materials, composed of doctors Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, aspires to lead advances on a current rather unknown field, as is research into self-regenerable materials by order polymeric compounds - reparables (known in English as self-healing effect). To conclude the project, CTCR plans to carry out the stage of industrialization and commercialization in cooperation with companies.