ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025 7 magnesium alloys that could lead to enhanced safety and longevity of critical components in real-world applications. www.pusan.ac.kr/eng. SHAPE-CHANGING POLYMER BEHAVIOR SHIFTS WITH TEMPERATURE Using a liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE), scientists at The Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus created a new shape-changing polymer that could transform how future soft materials are constructed. The LCE material, or mesogen, is a soft rubberlike material that can be stimulated by external forces like light or heat, and the polymer is so versatile that it can move in several directions. Resembling animal-like movements, its behavior includes the ability to twist, tilt left and right, shrink, and expand, the researchers report. The new polymer’s ability to change shapes could make it useful for creating soft robots or artificial muscles, among other high-tech applications in various fields. Today, liquid crystals are most often used in TVs and cellphone displays, but these materials often degrade over time. With the expansion of LEDs, many researchers are focused on developing new uses for liquid crystals. Unlike conventional materials that can only bend in one direction or require multiple components to create intricate shapes, the team’s polymer is a single component that can twist in two directions. According to the team, one of the study’s most important findings reveals the three phases that the material goes through as its temperature changes. Throughout these phases, molecules shift and selfassemble into different configurations. If scaled up, the polymer in this study could potentially advance several scientific fields and technologies, including controlled drug delivery systems, biosensor devices, and as an aid in complex locomotion maneuvers for next-generation soft robots. osu.edu. An all-atom representation of the initial system with mesogens randomly placed in a simulation box. The mesogen repack in various way during subsequent phases. Courtesy of OSU. www.masterbond.com WHY USE A NANOREINFORCED EPOXY? KEY BENEFITS of nanosilica filled EPOXY EP30NS Optically clear | Refractive index: 1.56 NASA low outgassing | ASTM E595 Dimensionally stable | Hardness: 80-90 Shore D Abrasion resistant | ASTM D466-14 Hackensack, NJ 07601 USA ∙ +1.201.343.8983 ∙ mainmasterbond.com To appear in the listings, visit AMPdirectory.com/addyourcompany Simplify Your Search for Vendors Find the right solutions for your business. Search for products, research companies, connect with suppliers, and make confident purchasing decisions all in one place. AMPdirectory.com
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