Dynamic Mechanical Materials for Orthotic and Prosthetic Applications

PI：Weder，Christoph和Rowan，StuartProposal编号：0828155聚合物材料用于许多矫形和假肢设备--从脚踝-足部矫形器到假肢再到神经电极。重大活动的重点是开发被称为“主动”、“智能”或“智能”的新型医疗设备，例如依靠弹性致动器加强膝关节伸展的膝关节-脚踝-足部矫形器、允许为成长中的儿童伸展的可调节和可扩展假体，以及用于治疗脊柱侧弯的主动支撑系统。相当有趣的是，这些新设备中使用的聚合物只起到了被动的作用。具有电可切换机械性能的自适应聚合物将对矫形和假肢设备的发展产生巨大影响，允许更简单、更紧凑的设计和增强的功能。提出了一种跨学科的研究计划，重点是设计、制造、研究和应用一类新型的具有电可控机械性能的合成聚合物纳米复合材料。这些目标材料模仿了海参深层真皮中发现的结构和切换机制，并建立在该团队最近在开发对化学反应灵敏的动态机械材料方面取得的成功的基础上。所提出的纳米复合材料将由低模数的基质聚合物和刚性纳米纤维组成，这些纤维上装饰着电活性分子。这些分子的电控开关状态控制纤维-纤维和纤维-基质的相互作用，从而控制材料的整体机械性能。建议的研究将联合具有超分子化学、聚合物科学和工程以及整形外科和康复专业知识的研究人员，包括(I)新型自适应纳米复合材料的设计、合成和研究，(Ii)流变学研究和理论模型的结合，以发展对这些自适应材料的结构-性能关系的预测性理解，(Iii)基于新聚合物的机电元件的制造和测试，以及(Iv)后者在用于动态后备控制的智能支撑系统中的使用。这项研究辅以教育元素，融合了研究和教育，并在本科生和研究生层面提供了鼓舞人心的经验。跨学科的性质和综合研究的方法将为学生提供非同寻常的广泛教育。整合研究和教育的主要途径是项目研究团队，其中包括少数民族高中生、本科生和研究生以及教职员工。少数民族高中生将通过与郊区学区的互动来融入社会。其他内容包括与东北俄亥俄州可持续发展企业家(E4S)计划克利夫兰仿生设计合作计划合作的开创性外展活动。智力优势：由于其示范性和基础性，拟议的跨学科研究计划将为未来基于活性纳米结构的先进功能材料的设计、合成和制造提供广泛的智力基础。具有电可切换机械性能的聚合物材料的开发是一项突破性成就，目标材料和器件将使一系列技术相关应用成为可能。最初的目标应用是具有可控特性的矫形器，但新材料也使许多其他重要应用成为可能，例如自适应防护服和主动减振系统。更广泛的影响：拟议的研究将产生具有巨大应用潜力的先进聚合物的蓝图。综合研究方法将为学生提供广泛的教育经验。高中和本科生的研究和推广活动旨在增加工程学中代表性不足的少数族裔的比例，将研究和教育结合起来，提供一个令人兴奋的学习环境，并为研究生研究人员创造教学机会。与E4S的伙伴关系将加强当地企业家的科技教育，他们有兴趣为该地区的Biomimicry建设社会和知识基础设施。

PI: Weder, Christoph and Rowan, StuartProposal Number: 0828155Polymeric materials are used in many orthotic and prosthetic devices - examples range from ankle-foot orthoses to prosthetic limbs to neural electrodes. Significant activities are focused on the development of new medical devices which are referred to as 'active', 'smart', or 'intelligent', for example knee-ankle-foot orthoses that rely on elastic actuators to enhance knee extension, adjustable and expandable prostheses that permit expansion for growing children, and active brace systems for the treatment of scoliosis. Rather interestingly, the polymers employed in these new devices merely serve a passive role. Adaptive polymers with electrically switchable mechanical properties would have a tremendous impact on the development of orthotic and prosthetic devices, allowing for simpler and more compact design and enhanced functionality. Proposed is an interdisciplinary research program focused on the design, fabrication, investi-gation and application of a novel family of synthetic polymer nanocomposites with electrically controllable mechanical properties. The targeted materials mimic the architecture and switching mechanism found in the deep dermis of sea cucumbers and build on the team's recent success in the development of chemo-responsive, dynamic mechanical materials. The proposed nano-composites will be comprised of a low-modulus matrix polymer and rigid nanofibers, which are decorated with electroactive molecules. The electrically-controlled switching state of these molecules governs fiber-fiber and fiber-matrix interactions and thereby the overall mechanical properties of the material. Uniting researchers with expertise in supramolecular chemistry, polymer science and engineering, and orthopaedics and rehabilitation, the proposed research will embrace (i) the design, synthesis and investigation of novel adaptive nanocomposites, (ii) the combination of rheological studies and theoretical models to develop a predictive understanding for the structure-property relationship of these adaptive materials, (iii) the fabrication and testing of electromechanical elements based on the new polymers, and (iv) the use of the latter in 'smart' brace systems for dynamic trunk control. The research is complemented with educational elements that amalgamate research and education and provide stimulating experiences at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The interdisciplinary nature and the integrative research approach will provide students with an unusually broad education. The main approach to integrated research and education are Project Research Teams, which include minority high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty. Minority high school students will be integrated through interactions with a suburban school district. Other elements include a pioneering outreach activity in collaboration with the Cleveland+ Biomimicry Design Collaborative, a program of the Northeast Ohio Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4S) initiative. Intellectual merit: On account of its exemplary and fundamental character the proposed interdisciplinary research program will provide a broad intellectual basis for the future design, synthesis and manufacturing of advanced functional materials based on active nanostructures. The development of polymer materials with electrically switchable mechanical properties is a breakthrough achievement and the targeted materials and devices will enable a range of technologically relevant applications. The initially targeted applications are orthotic devices with controllable characteristics, but the novel materials also enable many other important applications, for example adaptive protective clothing, and active vibration dampening systems. Broader impact: The proposed research will yield blueprints for advanced polymers with a substantial application potential. The integrated research approach will provide students with broad educational experiences. The high-school and undergraduate research and outreach activities are designed to increase the fraction of underrepresented minorities in engineering, to integrate research and education, to provide an exciting learning environment, and to create teaching opportunities for graduate researchers. The partnership with E4S will enhance the scientific and technological education of local entrepreneurs that are interested in building the social and knowledge infrastructure for Biomimicry in the region.