NICOP - Living Materials
Abstract
The development of many key technologies from transport to healthcare, energy generationor defence, relies on the availability of l"oad-bearing materials able to provide the requiredperformance in a range of environments. There is now a wide spectrum of structura"l materialsfrom polymers to ceramics or metals to choose from depending on the desired application.However, these materials are us"ually ~passive~ as they do not actively interact with theirenvironment. This application aims to develop a new generation of composites able to selfmonitortheir structural integrity and trigger their self-repair or modify their shape in responseto external stimuli. To achieve this goal we will combine new polymer chemistries with selfhealingand self-shaping abilities with ceramics in a series of bio-inspired architecturesdesigned to maximize mechanical performance. To build these architectures we will takeadvantage o"f new processing technologies such as 3D printing or additive manufacturing.The composites will incorporate microscopic, conductive" networks of conductive interfacesbuild from carbon nanostructures such as graphene. These networks are designed to promotesensing and healing while enhancing mechanical properties by directing crack propagation.The final goal is to develop a new family of ~active~ materials that will interact with theirenvironment increasing the longevity and capabilities of structures and decreasing theirmaintenance costs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2018
- Source ID
- N629091812056
Entities
People
- Eduardo Saiz Gutierrez
Organizations
- Imperial College London
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy