Examples of applications for the material: 1. In the actuator field, devices which convert energy into motion are generally composed of metal parts. Our materials are expected to be significantly lighter in weight and more flexible. 2. Aircraft actuators are especially weight sensitive; continuous adjustment of wing shape currently does not exist. Since birds are known to change their wing shape as they fly, applications to wing design could be especially important. 3. Actuators in surgery are now commonly in use, especially for micro-surgery. The application of actuator materials which are not opaque to X-ray imaging techniques could be an important benefit. 4. Tissue scaffolding has been used as a technique for repair of joint injuries however none of the materials used can help with motion in the interim between injury and healing. These materials may play a significant role in improving this area. We have several experimental approaches to verifying that the concept is valid and the polymer, when made, will contract: • We have carried out computational chemistry on the monomer in both the extended and contracted forms. These calculations required several days on a university supercomputer. They showed the material extended in its mono-ionic form and contracted in the ion-pair form. • We carried out a 1-D (1-dimensional) Nuclear Overhauser Effect experiment on the extended form in solution and the ion-pair form. This experiment is sensitive to the physical distance between atoms in a molecule. Distances around 5 angstroms are very sensitive to the effect, but larger distances are not. Our ion paired form showed significant effects while the extended form did not. We are working toward a single molecule force microscopy experiment which will allow us to measure both the actual distance of contraction on a single molecule as well as the actual force of contraction in the molecule.
Our short-term goal (less than 1 year) is to reach the “proof-of-concept" stage by demonstrating a material which will contract under appropriate stimulation.
Benefit to JMU
Revenue An Intellectual Property Disclosure has been submitted to James Madison University. REDI has submitted this to an IP firm for evaluation. The suggestion from this report was that the appropriate place for the technology was for applications in treatment of musculoskeletal conditions currently referred to as the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine field. A current projection for the market in this space is $90 billion by 2030. Actual market numbers were $35.5 billion in 2024 and $41.4 billion in 2025, according to Grand View Research. Even entry into a small portion of this market space can generate significant revenue for the University.
Madison Trust 2026 Project Proposal
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