Review Articles

Bio-Inspired Self-Healing Ceramic Coatings via Vascular Microchannel Networks for Turbine Blade Protection

Wei Pan , Jon Binner , Yanchun Zhou
2026-06-17 — Updated on 2026-05-12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55001/jams.v1i3.77 Vol. 1 No. 3 (2026)
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Abstract

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) on gas turbine blades develop microcracks during thermal cycling, eventually leading to spallation failure. Inspired by biological vascular healing systems, we developed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) TBCs containing embedded 3D-printed microchannel networks filled with MoSi₂ healing agent. Upon crack formation at temperatures above 1,100°C, the healing agent oxidizes to SiO₂-MoO₃ glass that infiltrates and seals cracks. Burner rig testing demonstrates 85% recovery of fracture toughness after damage, and the coating survives 3,200 thermal cycles (1,150°C → room temperature) compared to 1,800 cycles for conventional YSZ — a 78% lifetime extension.

Author Biographies

  • Wei Pan Institute of Advanced Ceramics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
    Wei Pan is an assistant professor at Institute of Advanced Ceramics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. Their research focuses on biomedical engineering, with over 28 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Jon Binner School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
    Jon Binner is an assistant professor at School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. Their research focuses on advanced materials, with over 73 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Yanchun Zhou Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, IMR-CAS, Shenyang 110016, China
    Yanchun Zhou is a professor at Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, IMR-CAS, Shenyang 110016, China. Their research focuses on biomedical engineering, with over 16 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
JAMS Vol. 1, No. 3, 2026
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How to Cite
Bio-Inspired Self-Healing Ceramic Coatings via Vascular Microchannel Networks for Turbine Blade Protection. (2026). Journal of Advanced Materials Science, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.55001/jams.v1i3.77
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Authors
  • Wei Pan Institute of Advanced Ceramics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Jon Binner School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
  • Yanchun Zhou Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, IMR-CAS, Shenyang 110016, China
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