PFI:AIR - TT: Multifunctional Underwater Sealants with Long-Term Sustained Release Functionality

该PFI：AIR技术翻译项目专注于翻译一种具有小分子控释特性的新型多功能可模塑和粘合材料。 已经确定了两种潜在的应用：一种是作为水下密封剂，适用于紧急漏水修复，另一种是作为控释装置，能够数月释放消毒剂，除草剂，香料，信息素或药物的活性小分子。 当用作水下密封剂时，这种新材料具有独特的功能，即在按压到潮湿表面时立即粘附（而不需要干燥表面或显著的凝固时间），并且可以比竞争产品更快地阻止泄漏。当用于长期持续释放时，该材料还：（1）粘附到不同的表面类型;（2）可以模塑以适应大多数形状;（3）在生产过程中不需要有机溶剂或高温（这降低了毒性并防止有效载荷降解）。这种独特的性能组合可以使这种缓释材料比领先的竞争产品更安全，更通用。该项目将产生演示新材料如何用于这两种应用的原型，以及一套全面的指导方针，用于适当定制材料的粘附性，稳定性和长期释放特性。该项目将解决几个知识和技术差距，因为它转化为商业化的新的多功能材料。为了使其能够成功地用作水下密封剂，研究人员将研究：（1）在不同的离子强度，pH值和温度水平下，不同的应力模式如何影响粘合剂失效;（2）老化后流变学和粘合性能如何演变（以及这些变化如何与材料内的结构重排相关联）;（3）粘附性能如何取决于应用方法;以及（4）粘合性和流变性在干燥时如何变化。这些分析将阐明所提出的材料如何以及在何处可用作密封剂，并推进对离子交联聚电解质（新材料的形成）的基本理解。此外，为了使其作为长期持续释放载体的商业用途，该项目将建立优化这种材料的方法，以有效地包封小分子（无论其对包封聚合物的亲和力或其溶解度如何），并将产生调节其持续释放的方法。通过演示如何定制这种离子网络，以在数月内提供抗菌剂，除草剂和其他活性物质，该项目将为这种材料在商业缓释应用中的使用提供基本指导。此外，项目人员，包括研究生和本科生，将通过以下方式获得创新和技术翻译经验：（1）研究和开发;（2）完成为期四周的通过UT的创业/企业孵化器方案提供的关于客户发现和产品市场匹配的（小型I-Corps类型）课程;及（3）与德州大学技术转移办公室合作，参与与潜在业界伙伴的会议。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating a new multifunctional moldable and adhesive material with small molecule controlled-release properties. Two potential applications have been identified: one as an underwater sealant, good for emergency water leak repair, and one as a controlled-release device, capable of multiple-month release of active small molecules for disinfectants, herbicides, fragrances, pheromones or drugs. When used as an underwater sealant, the new material has the unique features of immediately sticking when pressed to a wet surface (rather than requiring a dry surface or a significant setting time), and could stop leaks faster than competing products. When used for long-term sustained release, the material also: (1) adheres to diverse surface types; (2) can be molded to fit most shapes; and (3) requires no organic solvents or high temperatures during production (which reduces toxicity and prevents payload degradation). This unique combination of properties could make this sustained release material safer and more versatile than the leading competing products. This project will result in prototypes that demonstrate how the new material can be used for both applications, and in a comprehensive set of guidelines for appropriately tailoring the material's adhesion, stability and long-term release properties. This project will address several knowledge and technology gaps as it translates the new multifunctional material toward commercialization. To enable its successful use as an underwater sealant, the researchers will investigate: (1) how different modes of stress affect adhesive failure at various ionic strength, pH and temperature levels; (2) how rheological and adhesion properties evolve upon aging (and how these changes correlate to the structural rearrangements within the material); (3) how adhesion properties depend upon application method; and (4) how adhesion and rheological properties change upon drying. These analyses will both elucidate how and where the proposed material may be used as a sealant, and advance fundamental understanding of ionically crosslinked polyelectrolytes (from which the new material is formed). Further, to enable its commercial use as a long-term sustained release vehicle, this project will establish methods for optimizing this material to efficiently encapsulate small molecules (regardless of their affinity for the encapsulating polymer or their solubility), and will generate approaches for tuning their sustained release. By demonstrating how this ionic network can be tailored to deliver antimicrobial agents, herbicides and other actives over multiple months, this project will provide essential guidelines for the use of this material in commercial sustained-release applications. In addition, project personnel, including graduate and undergraduate students, will receive innovation and technology translation experiences through: (1) research and development; (2) completing a four-week (mini I-Corps type) course on customer discovery and product-market fit offered through UT's entrepreneurship/business incubator program; and (3) participating in meetings with potential industry partners, which will be conducted in partnership with UT's Technology Transfer Office.