University of Michigan

Bongjun Yeom

Nicholas Alexander Kotov

Jian Zhu

Yoonseob Kim

Matthew Di Prima

The present disclosure provides a biomimetic composite that includes a plurality of nanostructures each having at least one axial geometry region comprising an inorganic material. The nanostructures may be a plurality of substantially aligned (e.g., in a vertical orientation) axial geometry nanowires comprising zinc oxide or alternatively hedgehog-shaped nanoparticles with needles comprising zinc oxide. A polymeric matrix disposed in void regions defined between respective nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures. The biomimetic composite exhibits a viscoelastic figure of merit (VFOM) of greater than or equal to about 0.001 up to about 0.6 or greater. Methods of making such biomimetic composites are also provided.

Biomimetic composite materials for vibration isolation

New stretchable electrically conductive composite materials comprising at least one polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, which exhibit high conductivity even at high strain levels. The composite may comprise polyurethane as the polymer and spherical gold nanoparticles. Such materials have conductivity levels as high as 11,000 Scmat 0% strain and 2,400 Scmat 110% strain. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the composite have a maximum tensile strain of 480% while still exhibiting conductivity of 35 Scm. The inventive materials are highly flexible, highly conductive and suitable for a variety of applications, especially for advanced medical devices, implants, and flexible electronics. The disclosure also provides methods of making such stretchable electrically conductive nanocomposites, including formation by layer-by-layer and vacuum assisted flocculation. In certain embodiments, stretchable chiral plasmonic composite materials for use as optic devices and methods for making them are provided.

Stretchable composite conductors for flexible electronics, stretchable plasmonic devices, optical filters, and implantable devices and methods for manufacture thereof

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Bongjun Yeom