Liquid-Shielded Protects Water-Sensitive Materials

• Harvard researchers have developed a novel liquid-based encapsulation platform offering water protection without sacrificing the properties of contained materials. Features include flexibility, optical transparency, and self-healing - perfect for devices like solar cells and bioelectronics.

Harvard University researchers have developed a novel liquid-based encapsulation platform that offers protection from water without sacrificing properties of materials contained within. The method involves coating the encapsulated material with a polymer matrix containing hydrophobic oils. Experiments and simulations found that the oils fill-in and reduce the coating layer's defects, thus eliminating low-energy diffusion pathways and blocking water molecules from passing through. Additionally, the hydrophobic oils can be replenished to extend the lifetime of the enclosed materials. This encapsulation platform offers advantages such as water protection, flexibility, optical transparency, and self-healing. It could be applied to devices such as perovskite solar cells and bioelectronics.

Can the New Liquid-Based Encapsulation Platform Protect Materials from Water?

• Researchers have found the liquid-based encapsulation platform to be effective in protecting materials from water.
• The method works by coating the materials with a polymer matrix containing hydrophobic oils which fill-in and reduce the coating layer's defects.
• This effectively blocks water molecules from passing through and increases the lifetime of the enclosed materials.
• The encapsulation platform also offers advantages such as flexibility, optical transparency, and self-healing.
• It could be used on a variety of device applications, such as perovskite solar cells and bioelectronics.
• The platform is also cost-effective and easy to implement.