A simple, widely applicable technique to produce polymers
The Technology
This invention is a new living free-radical polymerization technique which uses the external stimulus light as a trigger, and is oxygen tolerant.
This invention allows for a high degree of control over the polymerization activation and deactivation such that well-defined polymer structures can be prepared with a narrow molecular weight distribution. This technique is applicable to a wide range of monomers, including both conjugated and unconjugated monomers.
Advantages
• Low polydispersity index (~1.1).
• Visible light induced polymerization.
• Oxygen tolerant.
• ON/OFF control of the polymerisation reaction.
• Ultrafast.
• Mild reactions conditions.
• Minimal catalyst used (<1 ppm).
• Nontoxic.
• Simple reaction setup.
Applications
• Surface coating and modification, eg. fibre functionalization.
• Nanolithography, eg. silicon wafer and conducting glasses.
• Biotechnology, eg. protein modification.
• Additive manufacturing.
• Multiblock copolymers.
Key Benefits
High quality, targeted polymers produced
Tight control over: reaction rate and duration, polymer molecular weight distribution, and the resulting polymer architectures formed.
Safe, energy efficient and mild
Oxygen-tolerant, room temperature, water as solvent, ultrafast, and resulting in non-toxic products.
The Opportunity
We are seeking research collaborators and industry partners to further develop this technology.
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