There is a molecule called spiropyran, which responds to external force by changing color upon physical stimulation.
A group of scientists led by Dr. Jaeu Kim fromThe Research Center for Structural Composites at the Advanced Composite Materials Institute of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has significantly improved the mechanosensitivity of spiropyran so that it can be used in wearable sensors and as artificial skin.
Previously, its molecular structure was changed in accordance with the material with which it is synthesized. The KIST researchers took a different route.
Chemical structure of the spiropyran (SP) mechanophore and its transformation into the merocyanine (MC) form. Photo: Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).
First they synthesized a composite material,and then added a certain type of solvent to improve sensitivity through its “aging” process. The scientists observed changes in color and fluorescence of the composite material by controlling the time of solvent absorption. It was found that increasing the processing time of the material improves its sensitivity. The spiropyran polymer produced using this new process showed an 850% improvement in sensitivity compared to previously developed materials.
In the course of this research, a process was developed,which can significantly improve the mechanosensitivity of intelligent polymeric materials based on spiropyran. We plan to devote ourselves to new research in which we apply this technology to futuristic wearable sensors and artificial leather.
Dr. Jaewoo Kim from KIST
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