Macro Scale

Latest Innovations

Reversible Crosslinking of Polymers Using Molecular Switches

Dr. Braun has developed a material that can polymerize and de-polymerize using two distinct triggers. By building on reversible Spyropyan chemistry, Dr. Braun has made...

Dr. Braun has developed a material that can polymerize and de-polymerize using two distinct triggers. By building on reversible Spyropyan chemistry, Dr. Braun has made polymers that can be multiplied reversibly. 

This invention can be applied to reversible adhesives, self-toughening or self-strengthening materials, and more. 

Process for the Production of Bulk Transient Materials from Cyclic Poly (phthalaldehyde)

Dr. Moore from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a method for enhancing the thermal stability of cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) (“cPPA”). cPPA is a...

Dr. Moore from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a method for enhancing the thermal stability of cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) (“cPPA”). cPPA is a transient material which is capable of depolymerizing in response to a stimulus (e.g., acid, heat). Until now, the low degradation temperature of cPPA has precluded thermal processing of the material. Additionally, cPPA’s unpredictable stability and thermal degradation behavior prevented standardization. The inventors identified a method for stabilizing cPPA to enable thermal processing of the material. Thermal processing allows more complex architectures to be fabricated from cPPA, these architectures can then undergo triggered depolymerization to break down the material. Potential applications for this material include disappearing drones and lithography.

Unidirectional (UD) Prepeg Fabrics with Embedded Liquid Healing Agents for Fabrication of Self-Healing Fiber-reinforced Polymer (FRP Composites)

Dr. White from the University of IL has developed a method for fabricating a glass epoxy prepreg with imbedded microcapsules containing a self-healing agent. Existing...
Dr. White from the University of IL has developed a method for fabricating a glass epoxy prepreg with imbedded microcapsules containing a self-healing agent. Existing wet-layup processes result in an agglomeration of microcapsules. However, this invention enable fabrication of prepreg fabrics with microcapsules (containing a liquid healing agent) evenly distributed throughout a prepreg fabric which results in enhanced mechanical properties.

Biphasic Solvent System for the Capture of CO2 (BiCAP) 

Dr. Yongqi Lu from ISGS has developed a novel biphasic system that can be used for the capture of CO2 in a much more cost effective way. This system uses an organic...
Dr. Yongqi Lu from ISGS has developed a novel biphasic system that can be used for the capture of CO2 in a much more cost effective way. This system uses an organic compound for phase regulation. Since phase regulation is not dependent on the amine component, this solvent system is much more efficient for biphasic separation of CO2.

Method for Delaying Frost Growth on Heat Exchangers

A meniscus-...

A meniscus-guided solution coating technique to produce pharmaceutical nanothin films. This is a new way to manufacture personalized multilayer combination drugs, which can be beneficial to types of cancer where mono-chemotherapy is ineffective. This new technology enables a uniform deposition of thin films down to a few nm in thickness, easy alternation of the film morphology (modulation of dissolution rate) and polymorphism (control of bioavailability), and a layer-by-layer production of dosages comprised of multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients. The method is cost-competitive, scalable, and high-throughput.

CF/PDMS Coiled Muscle

Dr. Tawfick from the University of IL has developed a composition of carbon fiber and silicone to create an artificial coiled muscle. This particular composition gives...
Dr. Tawfick from the University of IL has developed a composition of carbon fiber and silicone to create an artificial coiled muscle. This particular composition gives the artificial muscle the ability to lift 12,600 times its own weight when an electrical current is applied to it. This invention could help replace bulky actuators and could be useful in prosthetics as well as other industries.
 
Publications – C Lamuta, S. Tawfick, S. Messelot, Theory of the Tensile Actuation of Fiber Reinforced Coiled Muscles, Smart Materials and Structures, (Apr. 20, 2018).

Rapid Fabrication of Microvascular Polymers and Composites

Dr. Sottos from the University of IL has developed a method of creating microscopic channels within a gel matrix. The process takes less time...
Dr. Sottos from the University of IL has developed a method of creating microscopic channels within a gel matrix. The process takes less time then conventional methods and operates are temperatures below 180ºC. The invention can be used for transporting fluids for various biological uses. This invention could be used for various medical purposes.

Improved Condensation of Organic Fluids on Lubricant-infused Surfaces

Dr. Nenad Miljkovic from University of Illinois has developed an invention which improves the condensation of organic fluids. Vapor condensation is an ubiquitous process...

Dr. Nenad Miljkovic from University of Illinois has developed an invention which improves the condensation of organic fluids. Vapor condensation is an ubiquitous process applied in a wide range of industrial processes including power generation, distillation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems and natural gas processing. Over the past several decades, water-repellent or hydrophobic surfaces have been developed for water condensation. However, this approach does not work with low-surface-tension fluids such as alcohols and hydrocarbons. Other approaches, such as omniphobic surfaces, fail for condensation applications. Starting from regular metal tubes (e.g. copper), Dr. Miljkovic and coworkers developed scalable nanostructured lubricant infused surfaces (LIS) that can sustain rigorous condensation conditions.

A new class of monomers for the fabrication of sustainable polyurethane materials

Dr. Zimmerman from the University of Illinois has developed a new class of compounds for the fabrication of repurposable polyurethane materials. The polyurethanes made...
Dr. Zimmerman from the University of Illinois has developed a new class of compounds for the fabrication of repurposable polyurethane materials. The polyurethanes made from these compounds can be decomposed, under mild conditions, to useful alternative compounds and reused as adhesives with superior strength. Additionally, the polyurethanes made from these compounds exhibit nearly identical properties to those currently used in industry and are vitrimers that can self-heal.
 

Benefit

This invention minimizes the waste associated with the production and use of polyurethanes.

 

Application

Primary use is fabrication of polyurethane elastomers and foams for a variety of industrially relevant applications.
 
These relevant applications include manufacture of high-resilience foam seating, rigid foam insulation panels, microcellular foam seals and gaskets, durable elastomeric wheels and tires, automotive suspension bushings, electrical potting compounds, high-performance adhesives, surface coatings and surface sealants, synthetic fibers, carpet underlay, hard-plastic parts, condoms, and hoses.
 
 

Coating for Anti-fouling and Anti-corrosion on Metals

Dr. Nenad Miljkovic’s research group has developed a new technology to reduce the susceptibility of metallic surfaces to fouling/scaling. The invention is a thin (<~100...

Dr. Nenad Miljkovic’s research group has developed a new technology to reduce the susceptibility of metallic surfaces to fouling/scaling. The invention is a thin (<~100 nm) multi-layered solid-state coating that reduces the surface energy  and nucleation site density of metals such as aluminum, copper, and more. The technology has been demonstrated to reduce scale accumulation by 95% as compared to uncoated surfaces and eliminates the intrinsic durability issues of oil-based coatings.

Applications for the technology include the reduction of scale build-up on air conditioning and refrigeration systems and the prevention of coke deposition for aviation applications.

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