2018 AIChE Annual Meeting
(37a) Bio-Inspired Multifunctional Stimuli-Responsive Materials
Authors
Sun, L. - Presenter, University of Connecticut
Zeng, S., University of Connecticut
Zhang, D., University of Connecticut
Li, R., University of Connecticut
A number of marine organisms use muscle-controlled surface structures to achieve rapid changes in color and transparency with outstanding reversibility. Inspired by these display tactics, we develop analogous deformation-controlled surface-engineering approaches via strain-dependent cracks and folds. A bilayer structure composed of polyvinyl alcohol composite thin film atop elastomer substrate was designed and prepared to achieve dynamic strain-responsive optical properties. The transition between a transparent state to an opaque state can be easily achieved by uni-axially stretching and releasing the device. Also, a series of derivative mechanochromisms with capabilities of switch âon/offâ fluorescence, change fluorescent color, reveal/hide information upon mechanical stimuli are prepared.