Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Harper Meng

Guoqiang Li

Provided is a method for altering properties of tension programmed fibrous shape memory polymer. The method can include applying a protective coating to the tension programmed shape memory polymer, then applying a supportive coating to the tension programmed shape memory polymer to form a coated fiber. The protective coating avoids contact between the shape memory polymer and chemicals used in the supportive coating that can decompensate the shape memory polymer.

Self-healing composite of thermoset polymer and programmed super contraction fibers

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and methods for molecular scale healing are provided. The composition can resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer can provide molecular scale healing in a structural defect. The methods for molecular scale healing can include heating a composition including a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. The compositions have the ability to close macroscopic defects repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a component for molecular scale healing has the ability to repair structural defects by a bio-mimetic, close-then-heal process. The shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into proximity, after which the healing component moves into the defect and provides molecular scale healing. The component for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic, such as fibers, particles or spheres, which are heated to or above the thermoplastic's melting point, and then the composition is cooled below that melting temperature. The compositions can not only close macroscopic defects, but they can also do so repeatedly even if damage recurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and means for molecular scale healing has the ability to repair structural defects by a bio-mimetic, close-then-heal process. The shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into proximity, after which the healing means moves into the defect and provides molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic, such as fibers, particles or spheres, which are heated to or above the thermoplastic's melting point, and then the composition is cooled below that melting temperature. The compositions can not only close macroscopic defects, but they can also do so repeatedly even if damage recurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a thermoplastic polymer for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the thermoplastic polymer for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the thermoplastic polymer into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The thermoplastic can be fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

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Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Harper Meng