Development and fabrication of novel pressure distributing polymer gel

Vision轮椅座椅系统是一家加拿大轮椅座椅和定位系统及配件的制造商，包括坐垫、靠背支撑和手臂支撑。尽管该公司的产品提供了诸多好处，但该公司目前正致力于开发一种新的缓冲技术，以帮助**的压力分布。特别是，一个持续的挑战是开发一种基于聚合物的凝胶包，可以帮助**压力分布。一些设计限制包括(i)凝胶包装的成分由**现成的成分制成；（ii）凝胶包必须不含乳胶。在这种情况下，本研究的主要目标是开发一种聚合物基凝胶材料，该材料具有可调的流动性，同时能够均匀分配压力。这个为期六个月的项目的短期目标是：**(1)设计一种具有定制流变特性（例如粘度）的新材料体系的配方；**(2)对设计材料进行表征，确定压力分布的最佳参数；**(3)开发一个原型来演示凝胶包在辅助压力分布方面的性能。

Vision Wheelchair Seating Systems is a Canadian manufacturer of wheelchair seating and positioning systems**and accessories, including cushions, back supports, and arm supports. Despite the benefits being offered by the**company's products, the company is currently targeting to develop a new cushioning technology that aids in**pressure distribution. In particular, a relentless challenge is to develop a polymer-based gel pack that can aids**in pressure distribution. Some design constraints include (i) the ingredients of the gel pack is to be made of**off-the-shelf components; and (ii) the gel pack must be latex-free. In this context, the main objective of this**proposed research is to develop a polymer-based gel material that with tunable flowability while being capable**to uniformly distribute pressure. The short-term objectives of the six-month project are:**(1) Design the formulations of a new material system with tailored rheological properties (e.g., viscosity);**(2) Characterization of designed materials to identify the optimal parameters for pressure distribution; and**(3) Develop a prototype to demonstrate the performance of the gel pack in aiding pressure distribution.