Objective
The aim of this research is to develop self-healing polymer systems that will be expected to mimic many of the features of a biological system. In nature, damage to an organism elicits a healing response. We are applying the same concept to synthetic material design, creating a self-healing polymer system.
The self-healing system proposed here is based on incorporating microencapsulated mixtures of mono- and di-functional norbornene monomers (healing agent) and Grubbs ruthenium initiators (catalyst) within the epoxy resin (polymer matrix). When a crack is formed in the polymer matrix the embedded microcapsules are ruptured releasing healing agent into the crack plane.
Polymerisation of the healing agent is then triggered by contact with the embedded catalyst, bonding the crack faces and self-healing process is accomplished. Urea-formaldehyde microcapsules containing healing agents will be prepared in situ polymerisation in an oil-in-water emulsion. The polymerisation reactions will be based on ring opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) process involving rapid polymerisation of mixtures of mono- and di-functional norbornene monomers in the presence of Grubbs ruthenium initiators at room temperature to form crosslinked and very tough polymers.
The self-healing process will be studied by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and Infrared spectroscopy (IR). The healing efficiency will be investigated using fracture toughness tests. The concept of self-healing process will have far-reaching consequences for improving product safety and reliability. One of the major applications of the self-healing process is anticipated to be in medicine.
Once implanted in the body, prosthetics and other medical devices are difficult to monitor and access for re pair. The self-healing technology proposed here could prevent problems caused by damaged pacemakers, hip and knee replacements, dental materials, and other medical devices.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
DURHAM
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.