THERMALLY RE-MENDABLE CROSS-LINKED POLYMERS  
UCLA Technology Available For Licensing

UCLA researchers have identified highly cross-linked polymers capable of thermal self-repair. These polymers are mechanically strong, easily prepared, and show advantages over other self-mending polymeric materials that have been reported.

BACKGROUND:  Highly cross-linked polymers have been studied for a number of engineering applications for uses such as adhesives, insulators, and electronic packaging. However, highly cross-linked polymers are also known to be brittle and susceptible to cracking. Therefore, self-mending highly cross-linked polymers hold great promise for overcoming this challenge. These polymers could also find use in automobiles, self-healing windows, and the protection of silicon chips. Several methods have been demonstrated for the creation of self-healing materials. For example, thermoplastics can be repaired by thermally melting the damaged material back together. Materials have also been fabricated that have embedded hollow fibers or capsules within the material itself, so that when a crack propagates, small molecules with the capability to repair the crack are released. However, the ability of these types of materials to self-heal multiple times is limited.

INNOVATION:  Researchers at UCLA have identified and reduced to practice a method of making thermally re-mendable polymers. These transparent and colorless polymeric solids, which are composed of two components assembled by the well-known Diels-Alder reaction, can be fabricated without the use of solvent and cured at temperatures ranging from 80 ºC to 120 ºC. Once a crack is propagated in this cured material, the crack can readily be thermally repaired. Upon heating the polymeric body to 120 ºC, many bonds within the material break. Upon slow cooling back to room temperature, these bonds reform in a way that allows for the repair of the fracture. This procedure can successfully be repeated multiple times on the same sample.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

ADVANTAGES

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  This invention has been fully implemented, taken from concept to design to practice. Mechanical properties of the material have been tested under a variety of conditions.

Related Papers (Selected)

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2002-343 Patent No.: 6,933,361

For additional technical details and current licensing
availability, please contact the following UCLA office:

UCLA Office of Intellectual Property
11000 Kinross Avenue, Suite #200
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Tel: 310-794-0558 Fax: 310-794-0638
email: ncd@research.ucla.edu
NCD URL:   http://www.research.ucla.edu/tech/ucla02-343.htm

Lead Inventor: Fred Wudl

UCLA Technologies Available for Licensing
http://www.research.ucla.edu/oipa/industry

Copyright © 2008 The Regents of the University of California.

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