Mesoporous Elastomer Nanoporous Structure Room Temperature Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elastomers lack a well-defined mesostructure, which limits their mechanical and biocompatible properties, and efficient processing methods to create three-dimensional bulk materials with desired nano-micro structures, making them unsuitable for applications requiring toughness, elasticity, and biocompatibility.
Innovation Solution
Development of a mesoporous elastomer with an ordered and periodic nanoporous structure, achieved through the formation of an elastomeric lyotropic liquid crystal that undergoes covalent chemical and physical chain entanglement crosslinking, resulting in a material with high elasticity and improved handling characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If elastomers are designed with well-defined mesostructural features, then mechanical properties and biocompatibility are improved, but processing difficulty increases due to the complexity of transforming macroscopic 3D materials with ordered nanostructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing temperature parameter to room temperature, which allows the elastomer to be processed in a soft, moldable state without requiring high temperatures that would disrupt the mesostructure. This enables transformation of the material into 3D bulk forms while preserving the ordered nanoporous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesostructure is formed preliminarily during the synthesis stage using self-assembly of amphiphilic blocks, creating the ordered nanoporous structure before the material is processed into final 3D forms. This preliminary formation of structure simplifies subsequent processing steps.
2Shape
If hydrogels are used to achieve highly-ordered nano-micro structures, then mesostructural order is improved, but mechanical strength and handling properties deteriorate due to high water content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system combining amphiphilic block copolymers that self-assemble into ordered mesostructures with a crosslinked elastomeric network that provides mechanical strength. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of high structural order and mechanical robustness without relying on water content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a porous material structure with controlled nanoporosity formed by the self-assembled amphiphilic blocks. The porous structure is maintained through crosslinking of the elastomeric network, creating a material that combines the structural benefits of porosity with the mechanical strength of crosslinked polymers, eliminating the need for high water content found in hydrogels.
3Strength
If elastomers are crosslinked to improve mechanical properties, then elasticity and strength are improved, but the ability to process into three-dimensional bulk materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the crosslinking state, allowing the elastomer to transition between a soft, uncrosslinked state for easy processing and shaping, and a crosslinked state for final mechanical properties. This dynamic approach enables processing into complex 3D bulk forms followed by crosslinking to achieve the desired elasticity and strength.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional elastomers are used, then ease of processing is maintained, but functional properties and biocompatibility worsen due to lack of controlled mesostructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameter to room temperature, which maintains ease of processing similar to conventional elastomers while enabling the formation of controlled mesostructures through self-assembly. This parameter change allows the material to be processed in a soft state and then crosslinked to achieve both mechanical properties and functional versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mesoporous elastomer exhibits high elasticity, mechanical stability, and improved handling, enabling its use in biomedical applications such as joint implants and soft-tissue fillers, while maintaining biocompatibility and allowing for efficient processing at room temperature.
Implementation Method 1
undergoes covalent chemical and physical chain entanglement crosslinking
Implementation Method 2
undergoes covalent chemical and physical chain entanglement crosslinking
Implementation Method 3
displays highly elastic deformation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to elastomeric lyotropic liquid crystal (E-LLC) and mesoporous elastomers, wherein the mesoporous elastomer possesses a combination of covalent chemical crosslinks and physical chain entanglement crosslinks. The production and use of such mesoporous elastomers is also provided.