LONDON, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have developed a smart composite material which could sense cracks as they develop in airplanes and then repair the damage.

The carbon fibre composite was developed by engineer Nikhil Koratkar at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Intests it showed an ability to self-repair within seconds of cracks appearing.

The material works by heating and then melting a special powder when a crack appears. The warm substance fills the gap and hardens as it cools down, retaining at least half the strength of the original material.

Koratkar's work could be used in the next generation of carbon fuselage aircraft, science magazine New Scientist reported Sunday.