Synergistic Self-Healing Enhancement in Multifunctional Silicone Elastomers and Their Application in Smart Materials

Abstract

Organosilicon polymers (silicones) are of enduring interest both as an established branch of polymer chemistry and as a segment of commercial products. Their unique properties were exploited in a wide range of everyday applications. However, current silicone trends in chemistry and materials engineering are focused on new smart applications, including stretchable electronics, wearable stress sensors, protective coatings, and soft robotics. Such applications require a fresh approach to methods for increasing the durability and mechanical strength of polysiloxanes, including crosslinked systems. The introduction of self-healing options to silicones has been recognized as a promising alternative in this field, but only carefully designed multifunctional systems operating with several different self-healing mechanisms can truly address the demands placed on such valuable materials. In this review, we summarized the progress of research efforts dedicated to the synthesis and applications of self-healing hybrid materials through multi-component systems that enable the design of functional silicon-based polymers for smart applications.

Magnetic Characterization of MR Fluid by Means of Neural Networks

“…In the last few years, the advances in materials technology and the important role of electronics in mechanical engineering have yielded significant progress in the production of electric vehicles and in the automotive industries. Variable-friction dampers, clutches, brakes, shock absorbers and hydraulic valves are used mainly in heavy industry, with applications such as heavy motors and heavy duty trucks, exploiting smart materials [1].…”