Color-Changing Polymer Could Signal Traumatic Brain Injuries

  • Aug 20 2015
  • Gilleon Law Firm, APC

color changing polymer TBIA traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life forever. However, at the time of impact the injury is often invisible. Memory loss, headaches and dementia are common symptoms of a TBI, but these symptoms may not be immediately present, making it difficult for medical personnel to determine the severity of a TBI when it happens.

In an effort to detect TBIs faster and more accurately, a team of researchers have developed a polymer-based material that will change color depending on how hard it is hit. The goal of this research is to incorporate this material into protective headgear which can better indicate the level of injury. This new force-responsive, color-changing patch could help identify injury and prevent additional injury, particularly for athletes and others who wear helmets and are at high risk for brain injuries.

According to Shu Yang, Ph.D., “If the force was large enough, and you could easily tell that, then you could immediately seek medical attention.” The researchers applied varying amounts of force to the crafted polymer crystal, recording the color change. According to Yang, “We were able to change the color consistently with certain forces.”

For example, when applying a 30 mN force, or approximately the force of a sedan moving at 80 miles per hour and crashing into a brick wall, the crystal change from red to green. When applying a force of 90 mN, or the equivalent of a speeding truck hitting a wall, the polymer turned purple. The team concluded, “This force is right in the range of a blast injury or a concussion.”

The team will describe this unique approach at the upcoming 250th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The team plans to develop materials in the future that can indicate how quickly a force is applied. This factor may also affect how damaging a particular trauma can be on the brain.

TBI and Personal Injury

The results of a traumatic brain injury can be devastating. Along with high medical bills, the victim could find that he or she suffers life-altering changes such as temporary or permanent loss of physical or mental capabilities. When the injury is caused by a negligent individual, the victim may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury suit.

A personal injury attorney, like those at the Gilleon Law Firm, APC in San Diego, can help you determine if your TBI was caused by a negligent individual and can also help you determine the amount of compensation you should seek. Our team will represent you and help you throughout the entire process. Call today for a consultation.


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