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Mechanophores for advanced wearable strain and pressure sensors
The goal of the project is to synthesize and characterize a number of small molecules capable of acting as mechanophore addition to various polymers. These polymers would then be used as wearable strain or pressure sensors.
One of the most important biomedical parameters that can be measured by wearable devices is human body movement. This movement is related limb motion, breathing, speech, heart rate etc. Accurate measurement of these movements requires precise strain and pressure sensors with high sensitivity.
Mechanophores are materials capable of changing physical properties (most often color) in response to local mechanical stimuli, like strain or stress. This is achieved by insertion of stress-responsive molecular units into the polymeric backbone.
In the present project, mechanophoric elastomeric materials would be synthesized to study if the mechanophoric action can enhance sensitivity of strain sensors for wearable applications. First, new approaches for facile upscaled production of mechanophoric elastomers will be developed through synthesis of small molecule functional cross-linkers, and then the developed mechanophore polymers will be applied as active material for electronic strain sensors.
We intend to carry out an exciting multidisciplinary study of the organic synthesis strategies, physico-chemical behavior of the new materials, and their practical applications in wearable sensors.
One of the most important biomedical parameters that can be measured by wearable devices is human body movement. This movement is related limb motion, breathing, speech, heart rate etc. Accurate measurement of these movements requires precise strain and pressure sensors with high sensitivity.
Mechanophores are materials capable of changing physical properties (most often color) in response to local mechanical stimuli, like strain or stress. This is achieved by insertion of stress-responsive molecular units into the polymeric backbone.
In the present project, mechanophoric elastomeric materials would be synthesized to study if the mechanophoric action can enhance sensitivity of strain sensors for wearable applications. First, new approaches for facile upscaled production of mechanophoric elastomers will be developed through synthesis of small molecule functional cross-linkers, and then the developed mechanophore polymers will be applied as active material for electronic strain sensors.
We intend to carry out an exciting multidisciplinary study of the organic synthesis strategies, physico-chemical behavior of the new materials, and their practical applications in wearable sensors.
Goals
• Synthesize functional mechanophoric cross-linker small molecules;
• Incorporate synthesized mechanophores into elastomers and verify mechanophoric action upon linear strain;
• Validate the effect of mechanophoric units on strain sensing;
• Write a scientific project report;
Tasks
• Literature review (10%)
• Synthesis of functional cross-linkers and elastomers (40%)
• Validation of the effect of mechanophoric behavior on strain sensor properties (40%)
• Reporting and presentation (10%)
Your Profile
• Background in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields
• Independent worker with critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Goals
• Synthesize functional mechanophoric cross-linker small molecules;
• Incorporate synthesized mechanophores into elastomers and verify mechanophoric action upon linear strain;
• Validate the effect of mechanophoric units on strain sensing;
• Write a scientific project report;
Tasks
• Literature review (10%)
• Synthesis of functional cross-linkers and elastomers (40%)
• Validation of the effect of mechanophoric behavior on strain sensor properties (40%)
• Reporting and presentation (10%)
Your Profile
• Background in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields
• Independent worker with critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Contact Details
Prof Dr Carlo Menon and Dr. Alexander Shokurov will supervise the student and the research will be performed at ETH Zurich’s Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology research group (www.bmht.ethz.ch) in the Balgrist Campus in Zurich, Switzerland.
To apply, use the button below to tell us why you want to do this project ("motivation"); attach a CV with your current program of study, your grades and any other info you deem relevant.
Contact Details Prof Dr Carlo Menon and Dr. Alexander Shokurov will supervise the student and the research will be performed at ETH Zurich’s Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology research group (www.bmht.ethz.ch) in the Balgrist Campus in Zurich, Switzerland.
To apply, use the button below to tell us why you want to do this project ("motivation"); attach a CV with your current program of study, your grades and any other info you deem relevant.
