A novel high-performance magnetorheological material, named as magnetorheological plastomer (MRP), was developed by dispersing iron particles into a plastic polyurethane (PU) matrix. The dynamic properties (including storage modulus and loss factor) of the MRP material were systematically tested and the influences of the iron particle content and magnetic field were analyzed. It is found that the anisotropic MRP product with 80% iron particle weight fraction (A-MRP-80), shows a high dynamic property: the maximum magneto-induced storage modulus is 6.54 MPa; the relative MR effect reaches as high as 532%; the loss factor can be reduced to 0.03 by adjusting magnetic field. This kind of MRP shows a much higher magnetorheological performance than the previously reported magnetorhelogical elastomer (MRE). The mechanism for its high MR performance was proposed and the influence of the iron particle distribution and temperature on the dynamic properties were discussed.

To improve the mechanical properties of the natural rubber based magnetorheological elastomers (MREs), rosin glycerin ester was added into the carrier matrix to enhance wettability and dispersibility of CI particles. Dynamic performance, including shear modulus, loss factor and viscosity of non-vulcanized matrix was measured by rheometer. In comparison to the natural rubber based MREs, the MR effect of these hybrid matrix MREs were higher and they can reach to 112% when the mass fraction of CI particles is only 60%. The contact angle was tested by drop shape analysis system (DSA) and it was found that the compatibility between the iron particles and matrix was improved. In combination of the microstructure and mechanical property analysis, a possible mechanism was proposed. Finally, the loss factor and tensile strength were studied.

Fluorescent polymersomes are interesting systems for cell/tissue imaging and in vivo study of drug distribution and delivery. We report on bright fluorescent polymersomes with aggregation-induced emission self-assembled by a series of tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-containing amphiphilic biodegradable block copolymers, where the hydrophilic block is a polyethylene glycol and hydrophobic block is a TPE-substituted trimethylenecarbonate polymer P(TPE-TMC). Their self-assemblies in water were prepared by nanoprecipitation using dioxane or tetrahydrofuran as co-solvent, and the self-assembling processes were studied in detail by cryo-electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and spectrofluorometer. The polymersomes are formed via the closure of bilayer lamellae self-assembled first by amphiphilic block copolymers. The polymersome membrane affords a nanosize bright fluorescent system with self-assembly induced emission in the thickness scale of 10-15 nm. The control of the whole size of polymersome is achieved by the choice of co-solvent for self-assembling and by the design of a suitable hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio of block copolymers. These polymersomes can be potentially used as a stable fluorescent tool to monitor the transportation and distribution of drugs and bioconjugates in living cells.