INS14-1424
Bio-inspired mechano-functional polymeric materials
Topic
S14. The 2nd PSK / CCS-PD Joint Symposium on Frontiers in Polymer Science and Engineering
When and Where
Oct 1, 2026
14:00 - 14:25
Room 203
Session Chairs
Tae Ann KIM
Presenter(s)
Mingjie Liu (Beihang University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Biological tissues in nature achieve various life functions through the synergy of multiple biological macromolecules. The multicomponent composition of polymers has become an effective approach to developing high-performance polymer materials, representing a significant frontier in the field of polymer science. We have developed a series of high mechanical performance elastomers and nanocomposites by regulating polymerization, crystallization, and chain motion within confined spaces (Nature 2015, 517, 68–72; Science 2025,389,623-631). These materials have been applied in interdisciplinary fields such as soft robotics, flexible sensors, and energy applications (Adv. Mater. 2026, 38, 18: e23019; ). Inspired by muscle tissue, we extended the traditional hydrogel concept to multiphase composite gels and pioneered the design and preparation of novel structured gel materials such as organohydrogels and polymer fluid gels (Nat Commun. 2022, 13, 1743; Nat Commun. 2024, 15, 6747). These materials exhibit high strength, toughness, deformation, and damping properties, addressing the challenges of environmental adaptability and safe grasping in flexible intelligent devices (Sci. Adv. 2020, 6, eaax1464). We revealed the superspreading characteristics of gel surfaces in confined environments and developed a universal method for fluid shear alignment of nanosheets, achieving large-area controllable preparation of high-strength layered composite materials (Nature 2020, 580, 210). We also proposed that the confinement of polymer chain motion within inorganic nanospaces is the scientific mechanism behind the ultrahigh mechanical performance of composite materials.
