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The ability of Inherently
Conducting Polymers (ICPs) or carbon nanotubes to act
as the sensing and actuating elements within Intelligent
material systems has already been demonstrated through
previous research programs in our Institute. Realisation
of the true potential of these systems now depends on
their integration into other material structures. This
can be achieved either by making the ICPs more amenable
to conventional processing technologies or by blending
them with other materials at the time of assembly. The
thrust of our activities to date has been to develop
more processable ICPs and to integrate these functional
materials with other host structures with desirable
mechanical properties.
In addition, we have continued to develop
and expand the materials base required for development
of truly intelligent systems. This includes the development
of novel electrolyte systems based on room temperature
ionic liquids.
sensors
IPRI has been involved in the development
of a range of sensing technologies for use in solution
and atmospheric monitoring. This includes electronic
noses for robots and a range of biosensing technologies.
actuators
The first demonstration of nanotube actuators
was accomplished in association with an international
collaborative team. This was reported in the prestigious
journal, Science, in May 1999. Significant advances
in the development of novel polymer electrolytes for
use in solid state actuators, based on conducting polymers
or carbon nanotubes, have been made, as reported in
Science in 2002.
energy conversion
The use of novel light harvesting polymers
developed in collaboration with Massey University in
New Zealand has been shown to be advantageous when used
in polymeric photovoltaic devices. The photovoltaic
fabric project is also progressing well. Exciting developments
have been made in the production of polymers for hydrogen
generation, a collaborative project with CSIRO (Molecular
Science).
energy storage
The focus of work in this area is on the
development of batteries and supercapacitors based on
fabrics. The IPRI vision is the development of self
powered, mobile sensing systems for solution and air
monitoring.
As well there is ongoing research into:
monomer/polymer synthesis
processing/device fabrication
membranes
electronic fabrics
advanced coatings and adhesives
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