This technology is a catalyst for ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) that can be activated with near infrared (NIR) light, enabling spatiotemporal control of polymerization.
Traditional methods for ROMP require a metal catalyst that does not provide control over the initiation of the reaction or the length of polymer chain formation. Furthermore, traditional catalysts do not provide concise spatial control of the reaction, especially through barriers.
This switchable NIR light photocatalyst enables control over the extent of polymerization by modulating the irradiation time. High-resolution spatial control of the reaction is achievable through the use of lasers and/or photomasks. NIR light’s ability to penetrate through diverse materials enables polymer molding through barriers. Furthermore, excitation of the photocatalyst with NIR light improves scalability for photoredox reactions.
IR CU21095
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel