. 24/7 Space News .
TECH SPACE
Shining a light on damage within polymers
by Staff Writers
Washington DC (SPX) Aug 19, 2016


Embedded within polymers, microcapsules filled with aggregation-induced emission dyes break open when the surface is scratched; the resulting fluorescence allows researchers to detect the damage quickly and with high sensitivity. Image courtesy American Chemical Society.

When it comes to even the most advanced materials, the adage "if it does not bend, it breaks" is often true. But before that final snap, most materials experience microscopic damage that could be fixed - but only if you know it's there.

In a study published in ACS Central Science, researchers introduce a new technique that detects and illuminates damage in various types of materials.

Microscopic damage eventually leads to failure in polymers and composite materials, but it is difficult to detect without the aid of specialized equipment.

Previously reported methods rely on chemical reactions or multicomponent systems to identify problems and are not generalizable over a wide range of applications and materials. In addition, many use color changes that are difficult to detect within the context of the objects in which they are embedded.

To address these issues collectively, Jeffrey Moore, Nancy Sottos and colleagues envisioned a simple, single-component fluorescence system that would glow in response to microscopic damage.

The authors took advantage of a type of fluorescence called aggregation-induced emission (AIE). As opposed to most fluorescent dyes, the light emitted from AIE dyes becomes brighter as they solidify out of solution. To use AIE as a reporting strategy, the researchers created microcapsules containing solutions of AIE dyes and embedded them in a polymer.

When they scratched the material's surface, the capsules broke and released the dye solution, causing the damaged region to glow blue under UV light as the liquid quickly evaporated. The researchers demonstrated that their method works for various materials and for different types of damage including a cut only 2m wide, far smaller than could be seen with the naked eye.

The authors propose that simple systems such as this one could reduce costs associated with routine inspection and pre-scheduled replacement of parts.

Research paper: "A Robust Damage-Reporting Strategy for Polymeric Materials Enabled by Aggregation-Induced Emission"


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
American Chemical Society
Space Technology News - Applications and Research






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
TECH SPACE
Slicing through materials with a new X-ray imaging technique
Upton NY (SPX) Aug 18, 2016
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a new imaging technique that allows scientists to probe the internal makeup of a battery during charging and discharging using different x-ray energies while rotating the battery cell. The technique produces a three-dimensional chemical map and lets the scientists track chemical reactions in the battery ov ... read more


TECH SPACE
Lockheed Martin, NASA Ink Deal for SkyFire Infrared Lunar Discovery Satellite

As dry as the moon

US company gets historic nod to send lander to moon

China's Jade Rabbit lunar rover dies in blaze of online glory

TECH SPACE
Limited power as Mar Lab approaches Murray Buttes

Opportunity going back for closer look at grooves seen in images

Mineral Veins on Mars Were Formed by Evaporating Ancient Lakes

Evidence of Martian life could be hard to find in some meteorite blast sites

TECH SPACE
Commercial Crew Astronauts Discuss Progress, Training with Employees

Autonomous interplanetary travel one step closer to reality

After Deadly Crash, Virgin Galactic to Fly Its Spaceplane Once More

Tile Bonding Begins for Orion's First Mission Atop Space Launch System Rocket

TECH SPACE
China launches first mobile telecom satellite

China prepares for new round of manned space missions

China begins developing hybrid spacecraft

China to expand int'l astronauts exchange

TECH SPACE
Russia Could Cut Down International Space Station Crew

NASA mulls Russian idea to cut staff at space station

NanoRacks External Platform Deployed Outside International Space Station

JSC pursues collection of new technologies for ISS

TECH SPACE
Preparations for Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 flight move into their final phase at the Spaceport

Launch of US Antares Rocket Powered by Russian Engine Postponed

Russia to Launch Angara-1.2 Rocket With Korean Satellite KOMPSAT-6 in 2020

NASA Orders Second SpaceX Crew Mission to International Space Station

TECH SPACE
Scientists to unveil new Earth-like planet: report

Astronomers catalogs most likely 'second-Earth' candidates

Alien Solar System Boasts Tightly Spaced Planets, Unusual Orbits

NASA's Next Planet Hunter Will Look Closer to Home

TECH SPACE
New algorithm for optimized stability of planar-rod objects

Slicing through materials with a new X-ray imaging technique

Computer programming made easier

Your brain on Google Glass









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.