2020-145 - Photocurable, Self-healing, and Shape-Memorizable Polymers for Additive Manufacturing

Market Opportunity 

Lightweight lattice materials can provide great benefits in many applications such as airplanes, drones, and automobiles where a lighter structure can result in greater mechanical efficiency. The applications of 3D lattice structures have been significantly limited due to their inability in self-repairing of damages. Creating materials that have a self-healing property while maintaining great strength could enable the wide use of lightweight lattice structures.

USC Solution

USC researchers have developed a class of photocurable, self-healing, and shape-memorizable polymers that can be used in additive manufacturing. Such polymers can be printed into complex lattice structures. By first utilizing shape memory properties to bring the fractured part together and then promoting self-healing, researchers were able to show that the lattice is fully restored stiffness and strength. 3D lattice structures have been tested and are able to support up to 1000 times its weight even after 10 break and repair cycles. This development opens the door for applications that have not yet been realized.

Value Proposition

• Polymer materials can be 3D printed
• Shape memory and self-healing properties promote damage repairing
• Broad application potential

Applications

• Lightweight structures
• Aerospace, automotive
• Body armor

Publications

• Yu, K., Du, H., Xin, A. et al. Healable, memorizable, and transformable lattice structures made of stiff polymers. NPG Asia Mater 12, 26 (2020).
• Viterbi News “What if Airplanes Could Repair Their Own Damage” March 27, 2020

Stage of Development

• Multiple structures tested in lab
• Multiple types of fractures healed
• Available for licensing