🚀 Self‑Healing Coolant Tubing for Space Systems

Project Name:
Self-Healing Coolant Tubing for Space Habitats

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Joseph Furgal

Partners / Funding:
NASA, Creare Inc.

Short Description:
Researchers at BGSU’s Center for Photochemical Sciences are developing photochemically responsive polymers that enable coolant tubing to automatically repair itself after damage. These materials are designed to maintain fluid flow even after punctures in extreme space environments.   [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
This project improves the reliability of spacecraft thermal systems, supporting long-duration missions and space habitation where manual repair is not feasible.

♻️ Contact Lens Recycling Technology

Project Name:
Photochemical Recycling of Disposable Contact Lenses

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Joseph Furgal

Partners / Funding:
Johnson & Johnson Vision

Short Description:
This project applies light-driven chemical processes to recover materials from disposable contact lenses, reducing waste and improving recyclability in medical polymers. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Supports sustainable healthcare systems by reducing plastic waste and enabling circular material reuse.

🔐 Anti‑Counterfeiting Fluorescent Materials

Project Name:
Stability Enhancement of Anti-Counterfeiting Pigments

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Joseph Furgal

Partners / Funding:
International collaborators

Short Description:
The CPS team is improving the durability and optical performance of fluorescent pigments used in secure documents and currency to resist environmental degradation. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Enhances global security systems by improving reliability in anti-counterfeiting technologies.

🌊 Smart Photochemical Materials for Water Cleanup

Project Name:
Light-Responsive Smart Sponges for Environmental Remediation

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Joseph Furgal

Partners / Funding:
Federal research collaborations

Short Description:
This research focuses on smart materials capable of absorbing toxic substances from water and releasing them under controlled light conditions for reuse. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Provides new tools for water purification and environmental remediation, improving sustainability and public health.

👓 Electronically Dimmable Protective Eyewear

Project Name:
Adaptive Optical Protection Using Photochemical Materials

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru (Co-investigator: Dr. Malcolm Forbes)

Partners / Funding:
AlphaMicron Inc., U.S. Air Force, Ohio Federal Research Network (~$849,000)

Short Description:
This project develops eyewear that can shift from clear to dark in 0.1 seconds using advanced light-responsive materials, improving protection against intense light exposure. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Enhances military and first responder safety, with future applications in consumer and industrial eye protection.

🌱 Bio‑Based Photocuring Technology

Project Name:
Sustainable Photocuring Materials for Industrial Applications

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru

Partners / Funding:
NSF I‑Corps program, industry stakeholders

Short Description:
Researchers developed a bio-based, light-activated material that cures into durable coatings, replacing traditional petroleum-based chemicals. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Advances sustainable materials manufacturing for coatings, semiconductors, and optical devices.

🔁 Photodegradable and Recyclable Polymers

Project Name:
Light‑Activated Recyclable Polymer Systems

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru

Partners / Funding:
Academic and research funding initiatives

Short Description:
This work focuses on polymers that can be broken down or reconfigured using light, enabling new approaches to reuse and recycling. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Supports circular economy goals by reducing plastic waste and enabling controlled material lifecycles.

🌞 Nanomaterials for Solar Energy Conversion

Project Name:
Nanocrystal-Based Solar Energy Materials

Lead Investigator:
CPS Faculty (e.g., Dr. Liangfeng Sun, Dr. Mikhail Zamkov)

Partners / Funding:
Federal and institutional research programs

Short Description:
This research explores nanocrystal and quantum dot materials for more efficient solar energy capture and optoelectronic devices. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Improves renewable energy technologies and supports the development of next-generation electronics.

🚀 Self‑Healing Coolant Tubing for Space Systems

Project Name:
Self-Healing Coolant Tubing for Space Habitats

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Joseph Furgal

Partners / Funding:
NASA, Creare Inc.

Short Description:
Researchers at BGSU’s Center for Photochemical Sciences are developing photochemically responsive polymers that enable coolant tubing to automatically repair itself after damage. These materials are designed to maintain fluid flow even after punctures in extreme space environments.  [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
This project improves the reliability of spacecraft thermal systems, supporting long-duration missions and space habitation where manual repair is not feasible.

🔐 Anti‑Counterfeiting Fluorescent Materials

Project Name:
Stability Enhancement of Anti-Counterfeiting Pigments

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Joseph Furgal

Partners / Funding:
International collaborators

Short Description:
The CPS team is improving the durability and optical performance of fluorescent pigments used in secure documents and currency to resist environmental degradation. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Enhances global security systems by improving reliability in anti-counterfeiting technologies.

👓 Electronically Dimmable Protective Eyewear

Project Name:
Adaptive Optical Protection Using Photochemical Materials

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru (Co-investigator: Dr. Malcolm Forbes)

Partners / Funding:
AlphaMicron Inc., U.S. Air Force, Ohio Federal Research Network (~$849,000)

Short Description:
This project develops eyewear that can shift from clear to dark in 0.1 seconds using advanced light-responsive materials, improving protection against intense light exposure.[newswise.com]

Impact / Application:
Enhances military and first responder safety, with future applications in consumer and industrial eye protection.

♻️ Contact Lens Recycling Technology

Project Name:
Photochemical Recycling of Disposable Contact Lenses

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Joseph Furgal

Partners / Funding:
Johnson & Johnson Vision

Short Description:
This project applies light-driven chemical processes to recover materials from disposable contact lenses, reducing waste and improving recyclability in medical polymers. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Supports sustainable healthcare systems by reducing plastic waste and enabling circular material reuse.

🌊 Smart Photochemical Materials for Water Cleanup

Project Name:
Light-Responsive Smart Sponges for Environmental Remediation

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Joseph Furgal

Partners / Funding:
Federal research collaborations

Short Description:
This research focuses on smart materials capable of absorbing toxic substances from water and releasing them under controlled light conditions for reuse. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Provides new tools for water purification and environmental remediation, improving sustainability and public health.

🔬 NSF‑Funded Photochemical Reaction Research

Project Name:
Light‑Driven Chemical Transformation Mechanisms

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru

Partners / Funding:
National Science Foundation (>$500,000, through 2027)

Short Description:
This project studies how light can initiate and control chemical reactions, enabling development of more efficient and environmentally friendly processes. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Supports green manufacturing technologies across pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and materials science.

🌱 Bio‑Based Photocuring Technology

Project Name:
Sustainable Photocuring Materials for Industrial Applications

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru

Partners / Funding:
NSF I‑Corps program, industry stakeholders

Short Description:
Researchers developed a bio-based, light-activated material that cures into durable coatings, replacing traditional petroleum-based chemicals. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Advances sustainable materials manufacturing for coatings, semiconductors, and optical devices.

🔁 Photodegradable and Recyclable Polymers

Project Name:
Light‑Activated Recyclable Polymer Systems

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru

Partners / Funding:
Academic and research funding initiatives

Short Description:
This work focuses on polymers that can be broken down or reconfigured using light, enabling new approaches to reuse and recycling. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Supports circular economy goals by reducing plastic waste and enabling controlled material lifecycles.

🔬 NSF‑Funded Photochemical Reaction Research

Project Name:
Light‑Driven Chemical Transformation Mechanisms

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru

Partners / Funding:
National Science Foundation (>$500,000, through 2027)

Short Description:
This project studies how light can initiate and control chemical reactions, enabling development of more efficient and environmentally friendly processes. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Supports green manufacturing technologies across pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and materials science.

🌞 Nanomaterials for Solar Energy Conversion

Project Name:
Nanocrystal-Based Solar Energy Materials

Lead Investigator:
CPS Faculty (e.g., Dr. Liangfeng Sun, Dr. Mikhail Zamkov)

Partners / Funding:
Federal and institutional research programs

Short Description:
This research explores nanocrystal and quantum dot materials for more efficient solar energy capture and optoelectronic devices. [Follow Link]

Impact / Application:
Improves renewable energy technologies and supports the development of next-generation electronics.