Poly(epoxyoleic acid) and amino-acid conjugates as rheology modifiers
Innovative biodegradable and biocompatible rheology modifiers derived from oleic acid are under development. These organogels support cosmetic applications with tunable viscoelastic properties, offering a green alternative to commercial formulations.
Overview
Poly(epoxyoleic acid) and amino acid conjugates represent a breakthrough in rheology modifiers for cosmetics and skincare products. These novel organogels are designed to exhibit tunable viscoelastic properties, offering a greener and biodegradable alternative to traditional formulations. The technology leverages a scalable and environmentally friendly method for converting oleic acid into epoxyoleic acid derivatives, which are polymerized into gels with customizable shear-thinning properties comparable to commercial Dimethicone formulations.
Technical specifications
- Green synthesis method: Utilizes a low-energy ball milling process for converting oleic acid to epoxyoleic acid with over 95% conversion.
- Polymerization: Hydrophobic gels are formed with tunable degrees of polymerization to achieve desired rheological properties.
- Biodegradable and biocompatible: These organogels are designed to be fully compatible with skin care applications.
- Conjugation with amino acids: EOAs are conjugated with simple amino acids to explore organogel properties like critical gelator concentrations and sol–gel transitions.
- Scalable production: The method is competitive with industrial processes for epoxidized vegetable oils, suitable for batch production.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at TRL 2, with experimental evidence of its potential applications. The scalable synthesis of epoxyoleic acid is optimized, and further stages of polymerization and characterization are underway, including benchmarking against commercial gels.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research institution in West Lafayette, Indiana, anchored by a large residential campus. Industry engages through co‑located core facilities, pilot‑scale testbeds, and an adjacent innovation district that brings together labs, corporate R&D space, and maker resources near faculty talent. A statewide Extension network and an established engineering co‑op program connect companies to field sites, workforce pipelines, and pragmatic pathways from concept to deployment across Indiana. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, DOE, USDA, NIH, and the Department of Defense, and commercialization is managed by a dedicated technology transfer office in partnership with the university’s affiliated research foundation.
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