Autonomic Materials

About Autonomic Materials

Autonomic Materials, Inc. (AMI) develops and manufactures chemicals that enable materials to self-repair. The company's core technology, developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, involves microencapsulating self-healing agents that can be integrated into coatings, adhesives, and composites. When damage occurs to the coating, these microscopic capsules rupture and release a healing agent that polymerizes, sealing the crack and preventing corrosion from propagating. This autonomic response extends the service life of coated metal structures, reduces maintenance costs, and minimizes downtime.

Founded in 2005 by the late Dr. Scott White, a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Illinois, AMI commercialized technology developed by the Autonomous Materials Systems (AMS) group at the Beckman Institute. Dr. White and his colleagues, including UI Professors Nancy Sottos, Jeff Moore, and Paul Braun, were pioneers in the field of self-healing materials. The company's founding team also included its first two employees, Dr. Magnus Andersson and Dr. Gerald Wilson, with Wilson currently serving as President and CEO. The initial research was supported by funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the National Science Foundation.

AMI's business model involves supplying its patented microencapsulated additives, such as the AMPARMOR™ series, to coatings manufacturers for inclusion in their products. This allows for the creation of advanced protective coatings across a wide range of chemistries, including solvent-based, water-based, and powder coatings. The company primarily serves industrial markets where corrosion is a major issue, such as marine, oil and gas, infrastructure, and automotive. By partnering with major coatings producers and end-users, AMI addresses a market need for enhanced durability and resistance to environmental damage. In addition to selling additives, the company has also developed its own line of high-performance, low-VOC coating primers.