Now, a coat of paint that can save airplanes from disasters (Re-issue)
6 Jul 2008, 1644 Hrs

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Melbourne, July 6 (ANI): Though airplanes are inspected on a daily basis, small defects are easily overlooked. Now, scientists have revealed that they are testing a new paint that detects hidden flaws on planes.

US technology developers, Luna Innovations, have revealed that they are testing a special paint which changes colour to expose hidden damage, making visual inspections easier and more accurate.

The paint works by mixing microcapsules containing a coloured dye with the aircraft's paint.

If the paint is scratched, dented, or struck the capsules break and release the dye, highlighting the defected area.

"The paint is tuned to be able to release a dye to be able to change different colour based on the level of impact," News.com.au quoted Luna Innovations chemist Bryan Koene, as saying.

"The paint enables us to detect damage very simply and cheaply," he added.

The paint will be developed for the military vehicles first, before being used on commercial and private planes. (ANI)