MORE | Spring 2022

Implementation of Mechanophores into Shape Memory Polymers to Create Self-Sensing, Self-Healing Composite Materials

Previous work incorporated mechanophore, a material that undergoes chemical or physical response under mechanical stress, into an epoxy resin to create a composite that emits fluorescence under stress. This fluorescence can signal stress prior to mechanical failure and provide early damage detection. The work improves shape memory polymer epoxy with self-sensing and self-healing capabilities. This study analyzes a range of mechanophore weight loading to observe its effect on the thermal and mechanical properties and fluorescence responsive behavior.