Nothing is more exciting that the potential to create new display technologies that transform into various shapes at the stage of use such as folding, rolling or stretching like a rubber band by the use of special adhesive compositions. Or, how about an unmanned vehicle whose flexible body is designed to mimic tilt sensing inspired from the way jellyfish move or the creation of aqueous fragrance release gel formulations with considerable strength, elasticity and mouldability. These novel developments need testing so that their properties can be quantified for comparison with any future redesign, modification or as a quality control benchmark when going into production.
What are the new material and product ideas in innovative material research, development and production and how can a Texture Analyser be applied?
Innovative material research is an expansive and dynamic field. Here are some of the newer ingredient and product ideas in materials research, development, and production and a typical academic reference to show how the Texture Analyser has already being applied:
- Graphene: A single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, graphene is known for its remarkable strength, electrical conductivity, and flexibility.
Example: Waterborne polymer composites containing hybrid graphene/carbon nanotube filler: Effect of graphene type on properties and performance - Self-healing materials: Materials that can autonomously repair damage without external intervention, inspired by biological systems.
Example: Texture and rheological features of strain and pH sensitive chitosan-imine graphene-oxide composite hydrogel with fast self-healing nature - Shape memory alloys: Metals that "remember" their original shape and can return to it after deformation when exposed to a specific stimulus, often heat.
Example: Digital Light 3D Printed Bioresorbable and NIR‐Responsive Devices with Photothermal and Shape‐Memory Functions - Aerogels: Ultra-light materials with extremely low densities, often dubbed "frozen smoke", known for their insulation properties.
Example: Multifunctional Flexible Pressure Sensor Based on a Cellulose Fibre-Derived Hierarchical Carbon Aerogel - Bio-based plastics: Plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, like vegetable fats and oils or corn starch.
Example: Bio-Based Plastic Based on Ozonated Cassava Starch Produced by Extrusion - Liquid crystal elastomers: Materials that combine properties of liquid crystals and elastomers, exhibiting unique shape-changing properties.
Example: Bioadhesive liquid crystal systems for octyl methoxycinnamate skin delivery - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): Compounds consisting of metal ions or clusters coordinated to organic ligands, known for their extremely high surface areas.
Example: Polyvinyl alcohol/starch-based film incorporated with grape skin anthocyanins and metal-organic framework crystals for colorimetric monitoring of pork freshness - Biodegradable metals: Metals that dissolve or are absorbed in certain environments, often explored for medical implant applications.
Example: 4D printing of biodegradable elastomers with tailorable thermal response at physiological temperature - Carbon nanotubes: Cylindrical molecules made of carbon atom sheets, known for their strength and electrical properties.
Example: 3D Printable One‐Part Carbon Nanotube‐Elastomer Ink for Health Monitoring Applications - Stimuli-responsive polymers: Polymers that undergo physical or chemical changes in response to external stimuli, like temperature, pH, or light.
Example: Programmable shape deformation actuated bilayer hydrogel based on mixed metal ions - 2D Materials: Beyond graphene, materials like molybdenum disulfide, phosphorene, and boron nitride are being researched for their unique properties.
Example: Biomimetic nacre-like aramid nanofiber-holey MXene composites for lithium-sulfur batteries (PDF) - Self-healing Materials: Materials that can recover from damage due to embedded microcapsules that release a healing agent when cracked.
Example: Transparent and Self‐Healing Elastomers for Reconfigurable 3D Materials - Metamaterials: Man-made materials engineered to have properties not found in naturally occurring materials. These are often used to manipulate electromagnetic waves.
Example: Auxetic behavior and unusual shear resistance of crumpled materials: Opportunities for programming the nonlinear responses of crumpled mechanical metamaterials - High Entropy Alloys (HEAs): Alloys constructed with multiple principal elements, potentially offering unique combinations of properties.
Example: Superswelling microneedle arrays for dermal interstitial fluid (prote) omics - Nano-Cellulose: Derived from plant matter and offers unique properties like high mechanical strength and biodegradability.
Example: Processing of nanocellulose sheet for capturing fine particulate matter - Bio-based and Synthetic Spider Silk: Strong, lightweight, and biodegradable, with potential applications ranging from textiles to medical sutures.
Example: Tuneable Recombinant Spider Silk Protein Hydrogels for Drug Release and 3D Cell Culture
The field of innovative materials research is vast, and the above list provides just a snapshot of the ongoing developments. As science and technology progress, we can expect an even broader range of advanced materials with novel properties and applications.
Using a Texture Analyser innovative material development
The integration of the Texture Analyser in material product research and development (R&D) introduces a comprehensive approach to understanding and optimising the properties of various materials. Tensile strength and elasticity assessments provide insights into the strength and stretchability of materials, such as polymers or fibres, critical for diverse applications. Compression and hardness evaluations delve into material resistance against compressive forces, crucial for material durability under pressure.
Peel and adhesion strength analyses address layered materials and adhesives, quantifying bonding strength between surfaces or layers. Bending and flexibility tests encompass flexibility and resilience to bending forces, key attributes for materials subject to dynamic stresses. Frictional properties evaluation uncovers surface characteristics and material sliding behaviour.
Puncture and penetration resistance measurements determine the force necessary to puncture or penetrate materials, impacting protection and performance. Viscoelastic properties examinations address soft materials or gels, elucidating their combined viscous and elastic responses under stress. Break and fracture resistance assessments measure the force or energy required to break or fracture a material, revealing its structural robustness.
Swelling and absorption tests cater to hydrogels or absorbent materials, offering insights into their liquid absorption capacity and swelling behaviour. Gel strength and consistency analysis extend to understanding the structural integrity and uniformity of gel-like materials. Through collaborations with other testing methodologies, the Texture Analyser facilitates a comprehensive understanding of material performance, guiding formulation refinements to meet desired performance criteria across various industries and applications. Texture analysis provides valuable insights into the mechanical properties of new materials, enabling researchers to optimise their formulations or production processes. By understanding these properties, researchers can refine materials to meet specific application requirements, ensuring functionality, durability, and reliability.
Typical material test and resulting graph
There is a Texture Analysis test for virtually any physical property. Contact Stable Micro Systems today to learn more about our full range of solutions.
For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.
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