Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers (CHIPs) Using Cyclic Olefinic Comonomers

This invention is an approach to creating specific materials that are transparent to Long Wave Infrared. The proposed materials may be used as a matrix for incorporating IR transparent nanoparticles to form infrared transparent CHIP nanoparticle material. This new process allows for the creation of new copolymers with improved thermomechanical properties and enhanced optical properties. 

Background:
Inorganic materials currently used for infrared imaging systems are very expensive and difficult to process, making the imaging systems too expensive for deployment in everyday automobiles. There is a need for inexpensive materials and a technological push to expand the materials capacity from the mid-IR to the longwave –IR. The challenge therefore lies in creation of less costly, next generation IR thermal imaging systems is the creation of less expensive transmissive materials required for lenses and windows.

Applications:

• Infrared thermal imaging system
• Materials transparent for short wave, mid wave, and long wave infrared
• Imaging systems for automobile industry 
• Optics

Advantages:

• Cost effective materials
• Eliminates toxicity and difficulties in processing of current materials used such as Germanium