Smart and Adaptive Materials

The goal of the Smart and Adaptive Materials facility is to develop smart polymers with multi-functional properties that exhibit physically functional, mechanically functional, biologically functional and environmentally functional behaviours. The infrastructure is essential to the progress of this innovative research since it comprises two major components: the development of smart cellular polymers, and their characterization. In order to attain this objective, the infrastructure requested included a set of batch equipment for mixing, compounding, and processing and a set of characterization equipment for the measurement, modelling and simulation of physical, mechanical, bio-activation and biodegradation properties. Since smart materials are a novel class of materials, the development of these polymers is technically challenging and is in itself an emerging area of research in Canada. The infrastructure provides valuable data for the implementation and commercialization of smart polymers. This state-of-the art infrastructure is resulting in the development of an innovative processing technology for smart cellular polymers. When a cost-effective mass production manufacturing process for smart polymers is developed, a large number of potential innovative industrial applications will follow. This will contribute to increased economic activity in diverse sectors in Canada such as the health, environmental, transportation, and construction sectors, among others.