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Why are elastomers useful materials for artificial heart components?

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Know how researchers created a synthetic material, elastomers, that can change color and texture to specific voltage change, like that of cephalopods — elastomer Learn about elastomers that are changeable in colour and texture, much like the skin of octopuses and other cephalopods. In the elastomers, these changes take place under electrical stimulation.

Elastomers are highly valued for artificial heart components, such as pumping diaphragms, due to their unique physical properties that mimic the requirements of cardiovascular function. Their utility stems from several key characteristics:1

High Elasticity: Elastomers can undergo significant deformation—extending by 100 to 1,000 percent of their initial dimensions—without suffering permanent damage, allowing them to withstand the repetitive, dynamic motion required for pumping blood.12
Mechanical Stability: Certain elastomers, particularly specific polyurethane block copolymers, exhibit extraordinary long-term stability under sustained cyclic loading, which is essential for devices intended to function continuously for extended periods.1
Versatile Physical Properties: Their high impact resistance and gas permeability make them suitable for the demanding environment of the human body.1

While these materials are effective, selecting the right elastomer is critical; improper choices can lead to clinical failure, such as the swelling of silicone rubber when it absorbs lipids from blood plasma. Consequently, engineers must carefully consider biocompatibility and long-term durability to ensure these materials safely integrate with human tissues and fluids.31