Abstract: Systems and methods for activating mechanochemical reactions remotely using biocompatible ultrasound in the presence of gas-filled structures are described. The collapse of gas-filled structures is achieved using biocompatible ultrasound. In turn, collapse of the gas-filled structures can mechanochemically activate mechanophore-functionalized polymers in solution. Mechanochemical activation of mechanophore-functionalized polymers under physiological conditions can trigger the release and/or delivery of a variety of cargos with the spatial and temporal precision and deep tissue penetration afforded by focused ultrasound.

Abstract: A mechanochemically-gated photoswitching molecular system is described, along with the methods for the synthesis and use thereof. This molecular system comprises a thermally stable diarylethene-dienophile Diels-Alder adduct mechanophore embedded into a polymer chain or network, wherein the mechanophore undergoes the retro [4+2] cycloaddition reaction under mechanical force to reveal a diarylethene photoswitch.

Abstract: A macromolecular mechanophore platform that undergoes a mechanically gated chromogenic reaction in the presence of an extrinsic small molecule developing reagent is described, along with methods of synthesis and use thereof in different scenarios. The platform comprises a hetero-Diels Alder adduct embedded into a polymer, wherein the hetero-Diels Alder adduct masks an activated furan, and wherein the activated furan is released from the platform upon application of mechanical force, to react with the developing reagent comprising a secondary amine of choice to produce colored species with photoswitch capabilities. The platform can be used in solution or in solid state, and different colors can be obtained for the same platform, since the color of the generated product is determined by the choice of the developing reagent. Incorporating the platform into polymeric materials enables multicolor mechanical lithography by sequential application of mechanical force and different developing reagents.

Abstract: A general and modular mechanophore platform that efficiently releases a cargo molecule via a mechanically triggered cascade reaction is described, along with methods of synthesis and use thereof. The mechanophore platform comprises a stable Diels-Alder adduct mechanophore comprising a 2-furylcarbinol derivative as its diene component, wherein the 2-furylcarbinol derivative is, in turn, pre-loaded with a covalently attached cargo molecule, and wherein the Diels-Alder adduct mechanophore is embedded into a polymer chain or polymer network, such that the mechanophore platform undergoes the retro [4+2] cycloaddition reaction under mechanical force to reveal the unstable 2-furylcarbinol derivative, which, in turn, easily decomposes under mild conditions to release its molecule cargo.

Abstract: A general and modular mechanophore platform that efficiently releases a cargo molecule via a mechanically triggered cascade reaction is described, along with methods of synthesis and use thereof. The mechanophore platform comprises a stable Diels-Alder adduct mechanophore comprising a 2-furylcarbinol derivative as its diene component, wherein the 2-furylcarbinol derivative is, in turn, pre-loaded with a covalently attached cargo molecule, and wherein the Diels-Alder adduct mechanophore is embedded into a polymer chain or polymer network, such that the mechanophore platform undergoes the retro [4+2] cycloaddition reaction under mechanical force to reveal the unstable2-furylcarbinol derivative, which, in turn, easily decomposes under mild conditions to release its molecule cargo.

Abstract: A mechanochemically-gated photoswitching molecular systems is described, along with the methods for the synthesis and use thereof. This molecular system comprises a thermally stable diarylethene-dienophile Diels-Alder adduct mechanophore embedded into a polymer chain or network, wherein the mechanophore undergoes the retro [4+2] cycloaddition reaction under mechanical force to reveal a diarylethene photoswitch.

Abstract: An autonomic self-indicating material is provided, the material comprising a polymer composition or a composite material embedded with a microcapsule or a vascular structure comprising an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogen. Upon mechanical damage to the material, the luminogen is released and aggregates, leading to fluorescence.

Abstract: An autonomic self-indicating material is provided, the material comprising a polymer composition or a composite material embedded with a microcapsule or a vascular structure comprising an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogen. Upon mechanical damage to the material, the luminogen is released and aggregates, leading to fluorescence.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for making and using end-functionalized conjugated polymers. Embodiments of the invention comprise performing a coupling polymerization in the presence of AA monomers, BB monomers and an end capping compound that can react with a monomer and which is selected to include a functional group. The functional end groups can, for example, comprise polymers or small molecules selected for their ability to produce conjugated polymers that self-assemble into thermodynamically ordered structures. In certain embodiments of the invention, nano-scale morphology of such conjugated polymer compositions can be driven by the phase separation of two covalently bound polymer blocks. These features make the use of conjugated polymers an appealing strategy for exerting control over active layer morphology in semiconducting polymer materials systems.