A recent paper discusses a new class of elastomers developed by a team of scientists from MIT and Duke University. These elastomers, called deswollen, end-linked star elastomers (DELSE), exhibit ultrahigh strain-induced crystallization (SIC). Unlike common elastomers, which typically show less than 20% crystallinity when stretched, DELSE can achieve up to 50% crystallinity due to their uniform network structure and high stretchability.

This enhanced crystallinity significantly improves the material's mechanical properties, including toughness and the elastocaloric effect—a phenomenon useful in solid-state cooling technologies. The research highlights DELSE's potential for advanced applications, such as aerospace structures, medical devices, and refrigeration systems​.