The Technology
The autonomous detection of mechanical stress in plastics and polymers (both biological/natural and synthetic) traditionally requires the incorporation of mechanophores (force-sensitive molecular probes) during the chemical step – polymerization, and therefore does not allow for incorporation after processing. In addition, this approach is limited to synthetic polymers and is unsuitable for use in biological or natural materials.
A novel process employs click chemistry to coat polymer surfaces with mechanophores post-processing, enabling their use by the plastic industry independently of the polymer chemical source. This surface-only application significantly reduces the quantity of mechanophores required, lowering costs and preserving the bulk polymer’s mechanical properties. For biological or natural polymers, this method is especially valuable since pre-polymerization incorporation is not possible, thus expanding the use of mechanophores to previously inaccessible biological processes.
The new protocol achieves a detectable mechanochromic response with as little as 5% strain.
Advantages
- Mechanochromic response from biological and natural polymers
- Bulk polymer properties are unchanged
- Cost effectiveness
Applications and Opportunities
- In-situ measurement of stress of polymer parts for industrial, automotive, aerospace, etc.
- Stress measurement for biological and natural polymers
Business Development Contacts