This unique combination of solvent selectivity and electro-mechanical response opens a path for the design of foam-like materials that could find applications in oil recovery, mechano-chemical sensors, flexible electronics, and energy storage. The extremely low cost of materials and simplicity of production (only water, monomer, graphite and initiator are needed, with no high temperature step) could lead to commercially viable alternatives and replacements for various current technologies.

The technology was recently awarded US patent 9,731,221 and has been commercially licensed for use in oil spill containment.