CAREER : Understanding the Role of Process Variables on Properties of Multi-Phase Polymeric Materials

激励这个职业教育和研究计划的潜在主题是需要理解和传播关于材料的基本科学知识，特别是聚合物材料，并从这些知识的最终应用的角度出发。该研究计划将侧重于了解工艺变量对多相聚合物材料性能的作用。尽管多相聚烯烃共混物被广泛使用，但关于压力和剪切等工艺变量对其相行为的影响的严格信息很少。随着人们对聚合物回收利用的关注，以及新型茂金属催化剂的出现，人们越来越需要了解聚烯烃共混物的熔融态和结晶态相行为。使用模型聚烯烃，特别是富乙烯乙烯-丁烯-1无规共聚物，我们提出研究压力对共混物的熔融态-液相行为和固态结构的影响。通过仔细控制每个组分的分子量和单体组成，可以精心定制整体环境压力熔体状态、相行为和组分结晶行为。有了这种能力，我们设想利用高压小角中子散射、小角x射线散射和小角光散射来彻底了解控制固体结构和性质的参数。此外，通过关注薄膜在熔体和固体状态下的行为，我们计划使用原子力显微镜和中子反射率来建立这些薄膜的三维结构。诸如约束对结晶特性和熔体态相行为的影响等问题将被研究。这些信息对于理解界面相在控制最终结构和性质中的作用是至关重要的。最后，提出了有关固态最终性能与结构和工艺的初步研究。将材料和聚合物科学等非传统学科与化学工程的基础科学核心相结合，对于该学科的持续成功至关重要。此外，一所位于国家石化和聚合物工业中心的城市大学的需求，需要独特的培训、再培训和知识传播技术。建议对大学生和高中生进行材料研究指导。还建议使用最新的技术创新，如视频连接以及网络作为补充传统课程的工具。此外，还设想为高年级本科生和研究生开设一门介绍高分子科学与工程原理和实践的入门课程。最后，还计划开设一个短期课程，以便向工业观众介绍纳米和微结构材料领域的最新进展

9875321KrishnamoortiThe underlying theme motivating this CAREER education and research plan is the need to understand and disseminate fundamental scientific knowledge regarding materials, specifically polymeric materials, with the perspective of the final application of such knowledge. The research plan will focus on understanding the role of process variables on properties of multi-phase polymeric materials. Despite the widespread use of multi-phase polyolefin blends, little rigorous information regarding the effect of process variables such as pressure and shear are available on their phase behavior. With the focus on recycling of polymers, with minimal sorting or raw materials, and the advent of novel metallocene catalysts has highlighted the need to understand the melt state and crystalline state phase behavior of polyolefin blends. Using model polyolefins, specifically ethylene rich ethylene-butene-1 random copolymers, we propose to study the effect of pressure on the melt state liquid-liquid phase behavior and the solid state structure of the blend. By carefully controlling the molecular weight and the comonomer composition of each of the components, the bulk ambient pressure melt state phase behavior and component crystallization behavior can be carefully tailored. With this capability, using high pressure small angle neutron scattering, small angle x-ray scattering and small angle light scattering we envisage to gain a thorough understanding of the parameters governing the solid state structure and properties. Further, by focusing on thin film behavior in both the melt and the solid state, we plan to establish the three dimensional structure in such films using atomic force microscopy and neutron reflectivity. Issues such as the effects of confinement on the crystallization characteristics and on the melt state phase behavior will be investigated. Such information is vital in understanding the role of interphases in controlling the final structure and hence properties. Finally, preliminary studies relating the final properties in the solid state to the structure and processing are proposed.%%%Integrating non-traditional disciplines such as materials and polymer science to the fundamental scientific core of chemical engineering is essential for the continued success of this discipline. Additionally, the demands of an urban university located in the heart of the nation's petrochemical and polymer industries, require unique techniques for training, re-training and dissemination of knowledge. Mentoring of undergraduate and high school students in materials research is proposed. It is also proposed to use the latest technological innovations such as video link ups as well as the web as tools to supplement traditional classes. In addition an introductory course for senior undergraduates and graduate students elucidating the principles and practice of polymer science and engineering is envisaged. Finally, a short course is also planned in order to update industrial audiences of the latest advances in the area of nano and micro structured materials.***