The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $420,553 Project Grant under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CFDA 47.049) program to The Washington University in St. Louis. This collaborative research project aims to develop novel polymer materials with unprecedented mechanical properties and self-healing capabilities through an integrated experimental and computational approach. The key products and services to be delivered include:
Pioneering the use of double-threaded slide-ring polymers to fabricate highly stretchable materials.
Integrating dynamic covalent polymer design with 3D printing to enhance self-healing properties across scales.
Realizing high toughness, rigidity, and processibility through double network polymers combining slide-ring and dynamic covalent structures.
This project aligns with the Materials Genome Initiative, leveraging automation, simulations, rapid synthesis, machine learning, and additive manufacturing to accelerate the development of advanced polymers. The award has an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2027.