ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MARCH 2025 7 The molecular building blocks of the polymer backbone contain functional groups that serve as reactive sites for modification. Notably, the double bonds between carbons increase the chances for chemical reactions that enable polymerization. A carbon ring opens at a double bond to create a polymer chain that grows as each functional polymer unit directly slips in, conserving the material. The plastic additive also helps control the molecular weight of the synthesized material as well as its properties and performance. If scaled up and expanded to employ other additives, broader classes of waste could be mined for molecular building blocks, dramatically reducing the environmental impact of other difficult-to-process plastics. ornl.gov. SMART FABRIC FOR WINTER WARMTH Researchers at the University of Waterloo, Canada, developed a new type of cloth that heats up when exposed to the sun due to specialized nanoparticles embedded in the fabric’s fiber. Traditional forms of heated clothing usually rely on metal or ceramic elements to warm up in addition to an external power source. The new cloth incorporates conductive polymer nanoparticles that can reach 30°C under sunlight. The design does not require external power and can also change color to visually monitor temperature fluctuations. The fiber is created by a scalable wet-spinning process, combining polyaniline and poly- dopamine nanoparticles to enhance light absorption and improve photo- thermal conversion. Thermoplastic poly- urethane serves as the spinning matrix, while thermochromic dyes enable the reversible color-changing feature. The resultant fiber can be woven into fabric for wearable applications. In addition to its temperature- changing capability, the new fabric can stretch out by as much as five times its original shape and withstand as much as 24 washings while still maintaining its function and appearance. Its reversible color-changing ability also provides a built-in temperature monitoring feature to ensure the wearer’s safety and convenience. Potential applications include aiding in cold rescue situations and keeping animals warm with solar-powered pet clothing. www.uwaterloo.ca. This smart fabric can change its color when nanoparticles embedded in the fibers are activated by sunlight. Courtesy of the University of Waterloo. TECHNICAL SUPPORT EPOXIES, SILICONES & UV/LED CURING CUSTOM FORMULATIONS Select the right adhesive www.masterbond.com 154 Hobart Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 USA• +1.201.343.898 • mainmasterbond.com
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