Using harmonic differential quadrature (HDQ) method, nonlinear vibrations and instability of a smart composite cylindrical shell made from piezoelectric polymer of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) reinforced with boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are investigated while clamped at both ends and subjected to combined electro-thermo-mechanical loads and conveying a viscous-fluid. The mathematical mode...

We demonstrate the application of a novel smart surface to modulate the orientation of immobilized double stranded DNA (dsDNA) and the conformation of a polymer scaffold through variation in buffer pH and ionic strength. An amphoteric poly(dimethylacrylamide) based coating containing weak acrylamido acids and bases, which are copolymerized together with the neutral monomer, is covalently bound ...

Today, demand exists for new systems that can meet the challenges of identifying biological entities rapidly and specifically in diagnostics, developing stable and multifunctional membranes, and engineering devices at the nanometer scale. In this respect, bio-decorated membranes combine the specificity and efficacy of biological entities, such as peptides, proteins, and DNA, with stability and ...

Polymer/metal nanocomposite containing intrinsically anisotropic metal nanostructures such as metal nanorods and nanowires appeared extremely more sensitive and responsive to mechanical stimuli than nanocomposites containing spherical nanoparticles. After uniaxial stretching of the supporting polymer matrix (poly(vinyl alcohol)), the elongated silver nanostructures embedded at low concentration...

Polymer particles with micro- and nanoscale anisotropy have received increasing interest for their ability to simultaneously present different physical- and chemical properties. In this communication, we demonstrate that gold nanocrystals (NCs) can be selectively incorporated into one compartment of anisotropic polymer particles. Stable bicompartmental particles were prepared via electrohydrody...

Spiropyran (SP) mechanophores (mechanochemically reactive units) can impart the unique functionality of visual stress detection to polymers and have potential for use in smart materials with self-sensing capabilities. These color-generating mechanophores were incorporated into polyurethane via step growth polymerization. Polyurethane, which is inherently a versatile engineering polymer, possess...

Thermoresponsive polymers that undergo a solubility transition by variation of the temperature are important materials for the development of 'smart' materials. In this contribution we exploit the solubility phase transition of poly(methoxy diethylene glycol methacrylate), which is accompanied by a transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, for the development of a fluorescent thermometer. To ...