# New polymer material “Slide-ring Gel” will revolutionize fibers

Keyword: Moveable polymer crosslink, Slide material, New Japanese material

Organizations Involved

O Kozo Ito, Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Kunihiro Matsuda, CEO, Toudai TLO (CASTI) KK

O Hiroshi Kajiwara, President, Advanced Softmaterials Inc.

Professor Ito

CEO Matsuda

Presiden Kajiwara

## 【Abstract】

Advanced Softmaterials Inc. has developed a series of woolen goods with superior properties in terms of washing durability and extensibility. These woolen goods were obtained by combining woolen fiber with a molecule of "slide-ring material" synthesized based on the principle of polymer crosslink discovered by Dr. Ito's laboratory at the University of Tokyo. Presently Dr. Ito's group is continuing their research not just with woolen materials, but with cotton, synthetic and other textiles.

## 【Summary of the technology transfer】Technological Impact

Since Charles Goodyear synthesized cross-linked rubber in 1839, polymer cross-linking has been widely used for the production of vehicle tires. In 2000, Dr. Ito's laboratory, at the Graduate School of Frontier Science, University of Tokyo, succeeded in synthesizing, for the first time in the world, a movable polymer at crosslink sites as follows: a necklace-like molecule with a large empty space in its structure, is synthesized at nano-scale level from a polymer molecule (polyethylene glycol) and a ring molecule (cycrodextrin); the ring molecules are subsequently cross-linked with each other by figure-of-eight. As shown in Figure 1c, the crosslink sites of the synthesized polymer can move freely. The patent application for this novel polymer molecule was submitted both in Japan and the US through TLO at the University of Tokyo and the patent is now registered in both countries. In collaboration with NAKADENKEORI Co.Ltd. and the University of Tokyo, Advanced Softmaterials Inc. has developed woolen goods with superior properties in terms of washing durability and extensibility through the use of a necklace-like molecule. In general, durable washing can be achieved by "fixing" fiber in a way that fiber molecules are chemically cross-linked with each other. However, as a result of the fixation, the elongation property of the fiber is diminished and the fiber also loses some of its natural feeling to touch. By drawing on the pulley effect of the molecule, we achieved durable washing and extensibility simultaneously without loss of the original fiber softness. The characteristics of this improved fiber are largely superior to those of currently available fibers.

## Project Background

A patent was registered to ensure use of this new gel, which is neither a physical nor a chemical gel. Many companies expressed interest when demonstrated the properties of this new material, so a venture business was established.

## Funding History

Toudai TLO Inc. registered a patent for this new material, and with continuing marketing support, also enjoys the following support:

2002-2004 MEXT “University Development Venture Creation Support Business”.

## I ntellectual property protection

Patents: 1 Domestic, 2 International

“Polymer materials using Polyrotaxane bridges (Japan Pat No 3475252)”, etc.

Patents Applied for: 13 Domestic, 33 International. “Polyrotaxane bridges and their production method”, etc.

Upper slide: material processed with slide ring technique, washed 20 times. Lower slide: Untreated material, washed 20 times.

Under existing techniques	Untreated	Treated with SRM technique
Elasticity (JIS L1096 8B)	6.0 %	12.4 %	14.0%

## Turning point in the Project

OResearchers' enthusiasm for product marketization

OEnthusiasm of management and other staff involved

OApproaching many companies