Ultra-Stable Printing using Aqueous Complex Coacervates

LEAD INVENTOR:

Jessica Schiffman, Ph.D., and Sarah Perry Ph.D.

PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES

Green printing
Encapsulation, delivery, remediation, and sensing in food and personal care industries, for drug and gene delivery, and as underwater adhesives

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Purely aqueous processing without the need for any organic solvents
Printed coacervate materials are robust when exposed to solvents and elevated temperature (stable up to 450℃)

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

This invention provides a cost effective and environmentally friendly printing method with an “ink” that is based on a class of polymer-rich liquids, termed complex coacervates. The fully aqueous nature of coacervate-based materials avoids the need for purification or post-processing to remove toxic organic solvents and enables technology for much desired green printing. The low surface tension of coacervates with water has also facilitated their use as encapsulants in the food and personal care industries, for drug and gene delivery, ad as under water adhesives.

ABOUT THE INVENTOR

Prof. Jessica Schiffman is a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research interests lie in The Schiffman laboratory is an interdisciplinary and imaginative research team that uses “greener” materials science and engineering to address grand challenges in human health.
Prof. Sarah Perry is an Associate Professor in the Chemical Engineering department at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research interests include utilizing self-assembly, molecular design, and microfluidic technologies to generate biologically relevant microenvironment for the study and application of biomacromolecules.