Insights into Innovations in Polymer-based Self-healing Fabrics: Through the Lens of Patents

The transformation of ordinary fabrics into self-healing (SH) or intelligent fabric is now emerging as an important research area. SH fabrics are capable of maintaining their structural and functional integrity over an extended period of time, while also offering protection and aesthetic appeal. Similar to the biological mechanism of healing the superficial damages caused to a living being, smart fabrics are created to have sensitivity towards the damage-causing factors and act accordingly to overcome the damages. Polymers, owing to their versatile properties, are a preferred group of materials to serve the demands of various technology domains. Polymer-based SH systems for fabrics are being extensively studied for their highly beneficial applications in the world of fabrics. The current paper analyzes the innovation trends of polymer- based SH fabrics from a patent perspective. These fabrics are used for protective clothing, wearables, and other advanced applications. Newer material systems or designs are adopted to incorporate the auto-repairing ability in fabrics in response to damages. The SH functionality ensures durability and an extended lifespan for the fabrics. Innovation trend analysis indicated a steady positive growth trajectory for these materials holding a promising future.