Illuminating Interfacial Mechanics

We use mechano-responsive molecules, known as mechanophores (MPs), to monitor deformation and fracture in polymer networks. These molecules undergo a color change and become fluorescent in response to mechanical force, enabling direct visualization of strain.

By coupling mechanical testing with microscopy, we gain new insights into how polymers deform and fail. This approach allows us to visualize mechanophore activation in a composite matrix during loading, revealing the evolution of strain localization and damage.