Contact electrification is the generation of static charge on solid surfaces when surfaces come into contact. The accumulation of static charge on surfaces can produce electrical discharge, and result in hazardous situations, such as the explosion of flammable gases, dusts, and organic liquids. It can also make processes less efficient in many industrial processes such as hinder effective heat transfer when charged particles adhere onto walls of vessels. Common methods of overcoming this problem involves increasing the conductivity of the material and adding anti-static agents. However, these methods may affect the properties of the bulk materials in undesirable ways and may not be compatible to all applications.
This technology describes a strategy of fabricating a general class of polymers that resist charging due to contact electrification. The new class of polymers have demonstrated to be non-charging when in contact with other surfaces, thus exhibiting anti-static properties inherently.
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