The Wide-ranging Applications of Polymeric Materials

How can we reduce engine wear and improve fuel economy? How can surfaces be made that are highly resistant to contamination? Dr. Guojun Liu, Canada Research Chair in Materials Science, thinks the answers may come from the development of polymeric materials.

These materials comprise both natural and synthetic materials with a wide variety of properties.

Liu is developing micelles (or submicroscopic aggregations of molecules) that drastically reduce friction of lubricating oils in engines and machinery, thus reducing wear and improving fuel economy. Not only will this technology save money, but it will also reduce waste, making it environmentally-beneficial.

Liu has also developed a technology that can coat textiles and windows and make their surfaces highly oil- and water-repellent. Since these surfaces can remain clean for a long time, they reduce costs and save energy.

While the polymeric materials that Liu develops will have wide-ranging applications, they will share the common benefits of energy and costs savings.