Construction of polymer material systems with spatio-temporal structures

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22245037
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Polymer/Textile materials
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIDA Ryo 東京大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (80256495)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 高分子ゲル / バイオミメティックス / 振動反応 / 機能性材料 / 自己組織化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed “self-oscillating” gels that undergo spontaneous cyclic swelling-deswelling changes without any on-off switching of external stimuli, as with heart muscle. The self-oscillating gels were designed by utilizing the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, as an oscillating reaction. Potential applications of the self-oscillating polymers and gels include several kinds of functional material systems with spatio-temporal structures, such as biomimetic actuators, mass transport systems and functional fluids. Further, it is possible to create a new dynamic interface by immobilizing the self-oscillating polymer. Self-oscillating polymer brush surface was prepared and its dynamic behavior was evaluated. Self-oscillation between unimer and micellar (or vesicle) structures was also realized by using a synthetic block copolymer.

Free Research Field

機能性高分子ゲル