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Nature 459, 45-46 (7 May 2009) | doi:10.1038/459045a; Published online 6 May 2009
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Chemical Reaction Engineering & Reactor Design
- Praj Matrix - Praj Industries Ltd
- Pune, Maharashtra Pune-411021 India
Associate Professor or Full Professor
- South Dakota State University
- Brookings, SD
Mechanochemistry: Polymers react to stress
Christoph Weder1
Abstract
The latest polymers are chameleon-like: they change colour on deformation. The transduction mechanism underpinning this effect could be used to make polymers that respond in many other ways to mechanical stress.
Imagine a polymer that could send a warning signal if stressed close to the point of mechanical failure. Or one that actually becomes stronger under load.
- Christoph Weder is at the Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland, and in the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland 44106-7202, USA.
Email: christoph.weder@unifr.ch
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