Elastomers

Photothermal-responsive coatings use shape memory polymers to repair surface defects. Structural encoding and light activation enable autonomous recovery.

Multi-material 3D printing of PEEK and PEKK enables the consolidation of structural aerospace parts with embedded sensors and high-frequency antennas.

Mass production of microfluidics requires replacing PDMS with thermoplastics. Variothermal molding solves the “frozen layer” problem, enabling cycle times of <1 minute.

What it takes for sustainable plastics to work in pharma, with insights from Dr. Beate Mueller-Tiemann.

Move beyond ASTM D395 compression set to stress relaxation and DMA to predict contact stress retention and leakage risk in high-performance seals.

Moving beyond Melt Flow Index: select rheological measurements that match the deformation modes of injection molding and film blowing.

Polymer electrolytes boost aluminum-air batteries with safer, leakproof, high-energy performance, unlocking aviation and aerospace electrification.

Insights from K Show: 3D printing finds key niches in plastics, from conformal-cooling tooling to large-format parts and TPU lattices.

Reconfigurable liquid crystal elastomers use pixel-based director patterns for multi-mode shape morphing in soft robotics and adaptive surfaces.

E-waste leasing and product-as-a-service models cut electronic waste by improving design, take-back, lease returns, and secure recycling.