Nov 18 2008
Kenji Tsuchihara, the Molecular Smart System Group, the Nanotechnology Research Institute of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST developed polymer films that change color instantaneously and reversibly in response to changes in the tension applied.
Chromism of Polymer 1 thin film before and after stretching
The polymer films were prepared on elastic substrates by spin-coating from solutions of substituted polyacetylenes developed. The color of these polymer films changed instantaneously and reversibly when the polymer films were stretched and contracted using a stretching machine. The change in color was repeatable, and it occurred with the application of a small force of manual stretching.
This technique is expected to be applied to a tension sensor, which visualizes stress easily and which has been difficult to realize.
Detail of the results will be exhibited as "Chromism of Substituted Polyacetylene Films" at the AIST Open Lab, held at the AIST Tsukuba on October 20 and 21, 2008.