Materials science leaping ahead

This collection of advances from LiveScience.com focuses on the development of the first "self-healing" materials by scientists at the University of Illinois. Stick a knife in the new polymer-based material, withdraw it, and microchannels carry new molecules of the epoxy-resin substrate to fill in the space. Linked articles explore shape-shifting polymers and the advances being made by studying how tiny creatures like spiders make their way over difficult surfaces.