Technology Opportunities

A liquid droplet elastomer is a novel, liquid-filled rubbery polymer which combines an elastomer with individually encapsulated micron-scale droplets of liquid or gel. This low-cost and scalable process based on Pickering emulsions and polyHIPEs produces liquid-filled capsules with capsule walls capable of withstanding repeated mechanical and thermal stresses without failure due to the high level of liquid retention. This innovative technology is highly customizable and lends itself to a wide range of applications including thermal and mechanical insulation, antibacterial medical equipment and fire-resistant cladding.