Polymeric and Composite Materials
Innovation in polymeric and composite materials can enable novel sensors, advanced manufacturing methods, and functional parts. At PARC, we develop multi-material composites and interfacial materials to enable new combinations of material properties in highly manufacturable ways. The interfaces of these materials enable unique sets of properties.
For example, by leveraging chemical techniques developed by Xerox, PARC makes polymeric aerogels with monodisperse pore size that is controllable between 5 nanometers to 100 nanometers. This enables the tuning of chemical, thermal, and optical properties, and is currently being investigated for use in applications ranging from passive chemical sensing to transparent insulation for low-cost single-pane windows.
Download our Information Sheets on SHIELD and Metamaterials-Enabled Passive Radiative Cooling Films to learn more.
Another example of PARC’s polymeric and composite materials work is covalently linked networks of polymers and graphene to create durable, robust materials. This composite material enables 3D printed parts whose mechanical properties render them usable products, rather than merely rapid prototypes. The interfacial properties the PARC team has engineered allow these materials to break the common relationship between stiffness, brittleness and strength.
Additional information
Our work is centered around a series of Focus Areas that we believe are the future of science and technology.
We’re continually developing new technologies, many of which are available for Commercialization.
PARC scientists and staffers are active members and contributors to the science and technology communities.