Researchers at Tulane University have made significant progress toward creating a stretchable and durable material, inspired by superhero concepts, with potential real-world applications like bulletproof clothing. Led by chemistry professors Scott Grayson and Janarthanan Jayawickramarajah, the project is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and aims to develop materials for military and wearable body sensors.
According to Tulane University news release, the research focuses on polyrotaxane, a molecule with movable rings that grants it flexibility. Grayson explained, "The circular units can rotate and move so that means they can slide. You have a lot of pull, and that’s the great thing about these polymers." This gives the material more stretch compared to traditional polymers. The team is working on scaling production to test its commercial potential.
A key feature of the material is its environmentally friendly production process. Unlike most polymer production, which requires organic solvents, their material is created in water under normal conditions. "It’s really simple, and we’re getting fantastic results," Grayson noted in the same release. Jayawickramarajah compared the process to making gumbo, saying, "If you want such materials to ever have applications, you want to be able to make them easily in a pot just like you would cook some gumbo."
The team is still exploring practical uses for the material. Initial tests show it is highly elastic, conducts electricity with the right electrolyte, and has hydrogel properties for water retention. These qualities suggest possible applications in artificial ligaments or wearable sensors that conform to the body. Jayawickramarajah explained, "The idea is that, just like how our fabrics in the macro scale are strong, stretchable, and durable because they’ve been interwoven, so we’re trying to do that on the molecular and nanometer scale, so the molecules are being interwoven at that small of a scale," in the release.
