High-resolution in situ autonomous visual indication of mechanical damage is achieved through a microcapsule-based polymeric material system. Upon mechanical damage, ruptured microcapsules release a liquid indicator molecule. A sharp color change from light yellow to bright red is triggered when the liberated indicator 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein reacts with the polymeric coating matrix.

Fused silica microcapillaries were functionalized with spiropyran-polymer brushes using surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Based on the inherited spiropyran properties, the functionalized capillaries were successfully used to photoidentify solvents of different polarity when passing through the microcapillary in continuous flow. In the present study, six different solvent...

INTRODUCTION The approach-retract (A-R) cycle (“force curve”, “force spectroscopy”, “force calibration mode”, etc.) has become indispensable to scanning force microscopy. The need to control load and measure tip-sample adhesion (e.g. to monitor the state of the tip) requires routine use of this measurement mode. Many researchers have gone beyond these simple applications to probe the distancede...

Engineered nanomaterials may be released to the environment and adversely affect the microbial community. Three generalized modes of interaction between NPs and bacteria that lead to observed toxicity are commonly described: physical contact between nanoparticles and cells (Type I), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Type II), and release of toxic metal ions (Type III). Previous studi...

MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 33 • AUGUST 2008 • www.mrs.org/bulletin Abstract Self-healing polymers have experienced rapid technological advancement over the past seven years. They have moved from a conceptual demonstration to practical application in this time frame and have grown from a single design to a generic paradigm for modern materials development. Potential applications of self-healing polym...

The analysis of the charge, structure and molecular interactions of/within polymeric substrates defines an important analytical challenge in materials science. Accordingly, advanced electrokinetic methods and theories have been developed to investigate the charging mechanisms and structure of soft material coatings. In particular, there has been significant progress in the quantitative interpre...

Synthetic polymer coatings are used extensively in modern medical devices and implants because of their material versatility and processability. These coatings are designed for specific applications by controlling composition and physical and chemical properties, and they can be formed into a variety of complex structures and shapes. However, implantation of these materials into the body elicit...

In this research work, the original 45S5 bioactive glass was modified by introducing zinc and/or strontium oxide (6 mol%) in place of calcium oxide. Sr was added for its ability to stimulate bone formation and Zn for its role in bone metabolism, antibacterial properties, and anti-inflammatory effect. The glasses were produced by means of melting and quenching process. SEM and XRD analyses evide...