UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA

Brief Description

Novel silicone materials that further extend the range of beneficial properties that are controllable. In particular, the novel UC method of vulcanizing/curing silicones introduces cross-linking agents that efficiently disperse fracture energy in response to stress and that are capable of self-healing after yielding to rupture or deformation.

Background

Siloxane- and organosiloxane-based materials (collectively termed "silicones") are ubiquitous in commercially available goods and high technology applications, often in the form of oils, rubbers, resins, and hard solids. Their general usefulness is due to their broad and tunable range of beneficial properties, such as their low dielectric constant, high thermomechanical stability, high biocompatibility, high optical transparency, and controllable hardness, porosity, and hydrophilicity. Moreover, silicones can be synthesized via low temperature processes that allow facile incorporation of organic components and molecular additives.

Description

University of California researchers have developed novel silicone materials that further extend the range of beneficial properties that are controllable. In particular, the novel UC method of vulcanizing/curing silicones introduces cross-linking agents that efficiently disperse fracture energy in response to stress and that are capable of self-healing after yielding to rupture or deformation. Cross-links in the UC silicones will reform after being broken by thermal or mechanical forces, but still provide excellent tear-resistance. Another interesting property of the UC silicones, in contrast to existing silicone materials, is that they can be processed into new shapes even after being cured.

Because of these unique properties, UC silicones will likely offer improved performance and longevity for many new and existing silicone applications. Such applications might include advanced marine or biomedical adhesives, lightweight armors, protective, and/or decorative coatings, thermal insulators, optical and electronic components, satellites, and biomedical devices. Another important potential application of UC silicones involves physically or chemically responsive matrices for supporting other organic or inorganic components via dissolution, encapsulation, and/or covalent tethering.

Patent Status

Inventors

• Hansma, Paul K.
• Harreld, John H.
• Morse, Daniel E.
• Stucky, Galen D.
• Wong, Michael S.

Other Information

Contact

Shaun R. Juncal / juncal@tia.ucsb.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #10236.

ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES BY THESE INVENTORS

• A Novel Scanned-Stylus Atomic Force Microscope
• Combined Atomic Force And Scanning Confocal Microscope
• High Sensitivity Atomic Force Microscope
• Modular Adhesives And Energy-Dissipating Materials
• Synthesis Of Silica And Silicone Polymer Networks Under Benign Conditions
• Inorganic/Block Coploymer-Dye Composites And Dye-Doped Mesoporous Materials For Optical And Sensing Applications
• Nanoparticle Assembled Hollow Spheres
• Novel, Low-Cost Method For Fabrication Of Nanostructured Materials
• Use Of Magnetic Nanoparticles To Remove Dispersed Nanoparticles From Aqueous Solutions
• Thermally Stable Proton-Conductive Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications
• Polymer Shutter For Infrared Detection Systems
• Membranes for Electrochemical Devices and Materials (Fuel cells, Photovoltaic, Batteries)
• Hemostatic and Wound Healing Compositions
• High Performance Polymeric Material for Holographic Data Storage
• Novel Current Collector Design for Use in Rechargeable Lithium Metal Batteries
• Low Cost Nanoparticles for Fossil Fuel Exhaust Treatment
• Hydrogen Cyano Fullerene Containing Proton Conducting Membranes
• Hydrophilic Phosphoric Acid Compositions for Proton Conducting Membranes
• Method for Synthesis of Nanoparticles in Carbon Nanotube Arrays for the Study of Array Mechanical Properties
• Novel Capacitor for Rechargeable Batteries with Longer Lifetimes
• Method of Preparing Silicon and Silicon-Germanium Nanocomposites as Thermoelectric Materials
• Method and Apparatus for Magnetic Force Control of a Scanning Probe

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