Abstract

This presentation will focus on nanocoatings with three distinct microstructures inspired by nature.

The first part will look at organic/inorganic hybrid nanocoatings with a nacre-like microstructure generated via a facile co-assembly process.

Thanks to the high concentration (up to 70 wt%) of well-aligned inorganic nanosheets and a well-integrated structure after crosslinking, such thin coatings exhibit exceptional mechanical, barrier and flame-retardant properties while maintaining a high transparency.

The second part of the presentation will explore a series of strain-dependent mechanochromic devices inspired by marine organisms that can use muscle-controlled surface structures to achieve rapid and reversible changes in transparency, color and patterns.

Utilizing microcracks generated via deformation-controlled surface-engineering, rigid nanocoatings affixed atop a soft substrate exhibit a broad range of mechanochromic behaviors with high sensitivity and reversibility.

In the third part, the focus is on a series of moisture-responsive wrinkle dynamics inspired by human skin on a similar bilayer structure featuring different reversibility and stability will be discussed.

These unique responsive dynamics result in the invention of a series of optical devices triggered by moisture, including anti-counterfeit tabs, encryption devices, water indicators, light diffusors, and anti-glare films. The three biomimetic nanocoatings described here are promising for widespread applications.

About Dr. Luyi Sun

Dr. Luyi Sun is a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Director of the Polymer Program at the University of Connecticut. His current research focuses on the design and synthesis of nanostructured
multifunctional hybrids for various applications.

Dr. Sun has published more than 160 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has invented or co-invented devices, systems and processes that have been awarded more than 40 international and/or U.S. patents and patent applications. Many of his patents have been licensed or commercialized.

The scientific findings by Dr. Sun’s group have been reported by major news media, including the American Chemical Society’s Chemical & Engineering New, Plastics Engineering magazine published by the Society of Plastics Engineers, New Scientist, Smithsonian Magazine, as well as Yahoo News and MSN News.