REU: Advanced Composites Interfaces

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9321423 Schwartz This REU Site award provides an opportunity for six undergraduate students to conduct research on interface properties of advanced, fiber-reinforced composites. The research projects include viscoelastic effects on interfacial shear stress in single fiber composites, the effect of plasma surface treatment of graphite fibers on torsional fatigue in composite strands, interfacial shear strength measurement in environmentally friendly (e.g., "green") composites, and functional finishes for enhancing fiber- matrix adhesion in arimid/epoxy composites. %%% The objectives of this program are (1) to enhance the undergraduate experience, especially of students from four-year colleges, by meaningful, hands-on research involvement promoting independent thinking; (2) to attract potential U.S. graduate students interested in fundamental research in fiber science, with special emphasis on women and underrepresented minorities; and (3) to motivate students to consider research careers in academia, industry or government. Students will work directly in faculty research groups, and weekly research seminars will be scheduled in which currently enrolled graduate students will present in-progress results of thesis research. At the end of the ten week program, REU Site students will present their research results in a university-wide forum, along with students in similar programs in other colleges, at Cornell University. It is expected that these projects will contribute to publications in major refereed journals, and will be co-authored by REU Site students.