Materials

Latest Innovations

An Internally Heated Shape Memory Polymer Dry Adhesive

 

Dr. Kim from the University of Illinois has developed a 2-part dry adhesive which has an electrically conductive layer and an adhesive layer. The electrically...

 

Dr. Kim from the University of Illinois has developed a 2-part dry adhesive which has an electrically conductive layer and an adhesive layer. The electrically conductive layer is made from carbon black and shape memory polymer (SMP), while the adhesive layer is made of SMP. Applying voltage to the adhesive strips allows the SMP to bond to both curved and flat surfaces. Re-application of voltage allows the adhesive to be removed. This technology represents improvements over current dry adhesives because of the internal heating capability, reversibility of shape before and after bonding and reusability.

Chirally active Carbon Nanoparticles for Enantioselective Separation of Racemic Mixtures

 

 

Dr. Dipanjan Pan from the University of Illinois has...

 

 

Dr. Dipanjan Pan from the University of Illinois has developed compounds featuring carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), which enantioselectively absorb chiral molecules. This allows for the separation of racemic mixtures. These CNPs are inexpensive to produce and result in better or comparable enantiomeric excess in relation to similar adsorbents. These chiral CNPs are biodegradable, allowing for simple removal by enzyme after separation is complete. This technology is very useful for separating racemic mixtures when a specific enantiomer is targeted. 

Benefits
• This technology is a cost effective means of chiral resolution which does not suffer from the toxicity and reactivity issues that other chiral nanoparticles do.
• The chiral CNPs are biodegradable.
• Chiral CNPs are less toxic and less reactive than current chiral nanoparticle technologies

 
 

Rapid, predictable curing of composites

 

Professors Jeffrey Moore, Nancy Sotos, and Scott White from the University of Illinois has developed a novel method to create composites that allows for much easier...

Professors Jeffrey Moore, Nancy Sotos, and Scott White from the University of Illinois has developed a novel method to create composites that allows for much easier manufacturing and more design latitude.

Shape Memory Polymer Reusable Dry Adhesive

Dr. Seok Kim from the University of IL has developed a removable and reusable dry adhesive for wall hanging applications. This invention uses a shape memory polymer and...

Dr. Seok Kim from the University of IL has developed a removable and reusable dry adhesive for wall hanging applications. This invention uses a shape memory polymer and internal heating coil to change the SMP's adhesion characteristics. In 10 seconds it can change states, thus altering its adhesion characteristics. It can be attached to accessories, like a hook, that are attached to walls in order to hang objects on. Due to the SMP's surface, the adhesive does not pick up debris or degrade over time. This adhesive leaves no residue.

3D Printing of High Quality Materials

Dr. Moore from the University of Illinois has developed a new method of 3D printing which enables the use of high quality components. This printing method cures materials...

Dr. Moore from the University of Illinois has developed a new method of 3D printing which enables the use of high quality components. This printing method cures materials as they print and removes the need for additional processing steps.

This invention could be used to make 3D printed composite materials. It expands the applications of 3D printing.

Polymer Microcolumns for Gas or Vapor Separation

Dr. Suslick has developed a method to form polymer microcolumns for portable and disposable gas chromatography. Using sacrificial materials as a template, 2D and 3D...

Dr. Suslick has developed a method to form polymer microcolumns for portable and disposable gas chromatography. Using sacrificial materials as a template, 2D and 3D microcolumns are formed to separate volatile chemicals.

This method is cost effective and easy to implement.

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.

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