Megasupramolecules for safer, cleaner fuel by end association of long telechelic polymers
Abstract
Very long polymer molecules elongate in shearing flows. This ordering of the chains lowers the viscosity of small-molecule solvents. The chains also reduce the dangers of misting during explosive spreading of the solvents. However, the long polymer chains degrade during normal fuel handling and clog pumping equipment. Wei et al. used telechelic polymers—short chains with reactive end groups—to form extremely long chains in organic solvents (see the Perspective by Jaffe and Allam). These reformable polymers offer the potential for better fuel safety without the drawbacks of covalently bonded long-chain polymers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Oct 02, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1126/science.aab0642
Entities
People
- Boyu Li
- Joel A. Schmitigal
- Julia A. Kornfield
- Ming-hsin Wei
- R. L. Ameri David
- Simon C Jones
- Virendra Sarohia
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Schlumberger (Netherlands)
- United States Army
- United States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center