After development is completed in a few years, researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi predict they will have a polyurethane coat which can be applied to car finishes which will heal itself of scratches by exposure to ultraviolet light. Wired Magazine revealed that the innovation could protect vehicles and prolong their life and appearance.

Other researchers at the University of Illinois have been exploring the healing chemistry of polyurethane and foresee its promise in automotive undercoating where scratches left untreated will rust and deteriorate while surfaces treated with the new protectant seal any scratches before they can corrode.

The commercial applications for the healing chemistry of polyurethane are wide in scope due to the cheap and readily available materials used in production and the fact that the coating needs no external heat or water to initiate healing. While protecting your car's finish may be a satisfactory goal in itself, the new technology holds promise for extending the life of medical implants, such as heart valves and artificial joints.