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Abstract

Engineered products are becoming more complex and need longer lifetime availability; there is a need for new approaches in maintaining, repairing and overhaul (MRO). This paper presents the concept of self-engineering; the aim is to preserve the functions of a product or system and extend its lifetime and automate MRO processes. New developments in self-healing materials, self-reconfiguring electronics and robotics, which are already or could be self-engineering systems, are reviewed. Biological healing and repair mechanisms are discussed as a potential source of inspiration for new self-engineering systems. Examples of biological self-engineering are presented. Key technological challenges and research questions which need to be addressed in future self-engineering research are discussed throughout.

Publication Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	The final authenticated version is available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46817-0_2
Publisher Keywords:	Self-engineering, Through-life engineering services, Repair, Maintenance, Self-healing
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Engineering

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