Slippery self-lubricating polymer surfaces

US11186731B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• President and Fellows of Harvard College · US

Inventors

• Joanna Aizenberg · New Providence, US
• Michael Aizenberg · Boston, US
• Jiaxi Cui · Somerville, US
• Stuart Dunn · Carrboro, US
• Benjamin Hatton · Rancho Santa Margarita, US
• Caitlin Howell · Somerville, US
• Philseok Kim · Waltham, US
• Tak-Sing Wong · State College, US
• Xi Yao · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 7, 2018
• Grant date: Nov 30, 2021
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C10N2070/00
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery self-lubricating polymers. Lubricating liquids with affinities to polymers can be utilized to get absorbed within the polymer and form a lubricant layer (of the lubricating liquid) on the polymer. The lubricant layer can repel a wide range of materials, including simple and complex fluids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and bodily fluids), restore liquid-repellency after physical damage, and resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion. Some exemplary applications where self-lubricating polymers will be useful include energy-efficient, friction-reduction fluid handling and transportation, medical devices, anti-icing, optical sensing, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.