Sensors: Polymer Materials with Integrated Deformation Sensors

该传感器和传感器网络（传感器）个人调查员（SII）拨款为开发具有集成机械变形传感器的新聚合物材料的生产过程提供资金。目标材料是基于在常规聚合物中加入少量荧光染料。传感机制依赖于这些染料在聚合物基质中形成纳米级聚集体。它进一步利用了机械变形可以将纳米相分离系统转化为分子混合物。因为染料分子在聚集时会形成准分子，所以这种相变伴随着染料荧光颜色的变化。该实验研究项目包括(i)开发针对目标传感原理合理设计的荧光传感器分子，（ii）研究这些传感器分子与选定的技术相关聚合物的混合物的相行为，以及（iii）制定协议，允许通过传统的熔融加工技术生产足够的聚合物/染料纳米复合材料。为了展示新传感方案的价值，将组装一个由材料、光检测模块和数据分析接口组成的完整系统。这项工作的主要目标是确定如何通过传统制造技术可靠地生产聚合物/传感器纳米复合材料，以及它们的超分子结构以及荧光颜色如何随着外部刺激而变化。如果成功，这项研究的结果将导致对聚合物和低分子有机客体分子共混物中纳米颗粒形成的热力学和动力学方面的预测性理解。如果成功，所得到的知识可能为未来先进功能纳米材料的设计、加工和应用提供广泛的知识基础。内置传感器的聚合物新平台有潜力实现各种技术相关应用，从结构材料的早期故障指示器到防篡改包装。

This Sensors and Sensor Networks (Sensors) Individual Investigator (SII) grant provides funding for the development of processes that allow the production of new polymer materials with integrated mechanical deformation sensors. The targeted materials are based on the incorporation of small amounts of fluorescent dyes into conventional polymers. The sensing mechanism relies on the formation of nanoscale aggregates of these dyes in the polymer matrix. It further exploits that mechanical deformation can transform the nanophase-separated systems into molecular mixtures. Because the dye molecules are tailored to form excimers when aggregated, this phase transition is concomitant with a shift of the dyes' fluorescence color. This experimental research program encompasses (i) the development of fluorescent sensor molecules, which are rationally designed for the targeted sensing principle, (ii) the investigation of the phase behavior of blends of these sensor molecules and selected, technologically relevant polymers, and (iii) the development of protocols, which allow for the production of adequate polymer/dye nanocomposites by conventional melt-processing techniques. To demonstrate the value of the novel sensing scheme, a complete system consisting of material, optical detection module, and data analysis interface will be assembled.The primary goals of this work are to determine how polymer/sensor nanocomposites can be reliably produced by conventional fabrication techniques, and how their supramolecular architecture, and therewith fluorescence color, changes as a function of external stimulus. If successful, the results of this research will lead to a predictive understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of nanoparticle (de)formation in blends of polymers and low-molecular, organic guest molecules.If successful, the resulting knowledge may provide a broad intellectual basis for the future design, processing and application of advanced functional nanomaterials. The new platform of polymers with built-in sensors has the potential to enable a variety of technologically relevant applications that range from early failure indicators in structural materials to tamper-resistant packaging.