Establishment of rheological control method of transient network by topology control and development of novel ophthalmic viscosurgical device

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15338
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 35020:Polymer materials-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Katashima Takuya 東京大学, 大学院工学系研究科(工学部), 講師 (20759188)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: レオロジー / 一時網目 / 粘弾性 / 動的共有結合 / 白内障

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I aimed to investigate the correlation between network topology and rheological properties, clarify the principles of transient networks, and develop a prototype for a new ophthalmic surgical adjuvant based on the obtained guiding principles. Controlling the rheology of materials has been crucial in the medical field, but conventional materials have not been able to satisfy the required properties, necessitating fundamental improvements. The applicant systematically investigated the relationship between linear and non-linear viscoelastic characteristics and network structures by altering the topology, and clarified the mechanisms. Furthermore, based on the acquired scientific principles, we have established a technology that allows for the coexistence of storage and injectability, which had previously been in a trade-off relationship, by utilizing flow-induced phase separation. Based on these results, we developed a prototype for an ophthalmic adjuvant.

Free Research Field

レオロジー

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

過渡的網目材料のレオロジー特性は、会合点のミクロな会合・脱離のダイナミクスからマクロな粘弾性までマルチスケールの制御・解析が必要であった。本申請では、構造の制御されたモデル材料を用いることで、種々のスケールのダイナミクスを系統的に評価し、比較することで新しい学理を構築した。
得られた学理は、今後、過渡的網目材料を実在料として応用する際の、設計指針の根幹をなすものであり、レオロジーの学問領域を大幅に広げるものである。