Researchers have introduced an innovative new material that promises to enhance the technology behind recyclable, high-sensitivity sensors. This team has engineered a sensor utilizing a dynamic polymer network that has drawn attention for its exceptional performance and commitment to environmental sustainability.
Professor Chiyoung Park from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at DGIST (headed by President Kunwoo Lee) has pioneered this cutting-edge material, aimed at improving recyclable sensor technology. Collaborating with Professor U-hyeok Choi from Inha University (led by President Cho Myeongwoo), Park’s group has developed a high-sensitivity sensor that is also recyclable, rooted in a dynamic polymer network. This state-of-the-art material stands out for merging sustainability with top performance.
Traditional high-sensitivity sensors often struggle with performance decline due to fatigue and frequent use. In contrast, the dynamic polymer network created by the research team retains its exceptional sensitivity and durability thanks to a vinylogous urethane bonding mechanism. This unique bonding allows the material to repair itself in response to external factors like temperature, light, and pressure, thus maintaining effectiveness even after extensive use.
The dynamic polymer network is highly responsive to various mechanical actions, heat, and light. Sensors developed from this network perform exceptionally well in detecting movements of the human body. The researchers have proven that these sensors can accurately monitor finger flexing, alterations in facial expressions, and even swallowing actions in the throat. One of the technology’s standout features is its capacity to retain the same level of sensitivity post-recycling, without any loss of quality.
With the increasing concern surrounding electronic waste, the team has specifically designed this technology to mesh recyclability with high efficiency. They believe that the adaptable nature of the dynamic polymer network allows for repeated utilization and recycling, which could lead to a significant decrease in e-waste. Their research not only holds promise for sensor technology but also for future electronics, wearable gadgets, and medical devices. The team is actively pursuing ways to make this technology available for broad industrial use.
“Our material is highly processable and can be recycled through mechanical or chemical means,” stated DGIST Professor Chiyoung Park. “The simple recycling process of the polymer network is expected to prolong the lifespan of electronic devices and wearables, which will greatly lower electronic waste.”
This research received support from the Industrial Technology Alchemist Project, backed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as well as the Basic Research Center Project of the Ministry of Science and ICT. The results of this study (with Gyeonghyeon Choi as the primary author, an integrated MS/PhD student) were published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.
