Novel Transparent PMMA Composites For Optical Tagging

Abstract

This report describes the success of a feasibility demonstration in making novel transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA composites with ultraviolet (UV)-dye-embedded electrospun fibers that have the ability to change color and transparency reversibly upon exposure to UV irradiation. A light scattering model for transparent fiber-modified polymer composites is used to guide the materials selection and fiber processing. The key to achieving optical clarity with reduced haze is to match closely the refractive indexes between the fiber and the matrix material, as well as to reduce the fiber diameter to well below the wavelength of visible light. In addition, the exploitation of dye-embedded electrospun fibers facilitates the design of desired fiber patterns, thus affording transparent PMMA composites with optical tagging capability.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA531405

Entities

People

  • Alex J. Hsieh
  • Gregory C. Rutledge
  • Jian Yu

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acrylonitrile Polymers
  • Alkenes
  • Composite Material Fabrication
  • Composite Materials
  • Diameters
  • Fabrication
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Military Research
  • Optical Properties
  • Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Refractive Index
  • Scattering
  • Transparencies
  • Visible Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Polymer Science and Technology
  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Systems Analysis and Design