Stone and concrete structures with the ability to heal themselves in a similar way to living organisms when damaged could help to make buildings safer and last longer.
Over time the weather, vibration, ground movements and general wear and tear can take their toll on the masonry and concrete used in buildings.
But keeping buildings in a good state of repair can be expensive and difficult. Hairline cracks and other damage below the wall surface can be hard to detect. With large numbers of historic buildings and ageing infrastructure, Europe faces an enormous task keeping its buildings in a good state.