Printing on liquid elastomers. Issue 12 (11th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cai, Lingzhi; Marthelot, Joel; Falcón, Claudio; Reis, Pedro M.; Brun, P.-T.
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 16:Issue 12(2020)
• Page Start: 3137
• Page End: 3142
• Publication Date: 2020-03-11
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02452b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : We propose a robust fluid-mediated route for the rapid fabrication of soft elastomers architected with liquid inclusions. Our approach consists of printing water at the surface of an immiscible liquid elastomer bath, which subsequently cures. Abstract : In recent years the research community has paid significant attention to geometrically engineered materials. These materials derive their unique properties from their structure rather than their chemistry alone. Despite their success in the laboratory, the assembly of such soft functional materials remains an outstanding challenge. Here, we propose a robust fluid-mediated route for the rapid fabrication of soft elastomers architected with liquid inclusions. Our approach consists of depositing water drops at the surface of an immiscible liquid elastomer bath. As the elastomer cures, the drops are encapsulated in the polymer and impart shape and function to the newly formed elastic matrix. Using the framework of fluid mechanics, we show how this type of composite material can be tailored.