Novel Synthesis and Applications of Layered Silicate/Polymer Composite Materials

本项目旨在为美国本土化学和物理专业的本科生提供机会，开展层状硅酸盐与有机单体和生物分子无溶剂反应形成的复合材料的合成、表征和应用研究。主要研究三个方面：合成新型层状硅酸盐粘土/聚合物复合材料作为化学传感器的活性组分；生物分子与层状硅酸盐粘土材料的相互作用。该项目的教育目标是通过提供一对一的教师指导（直到毕业），在研究经验方面，包括从项目开始到最终结果报告的研究过程的各个方面，培养多达五名美国原住民化学或物理专业的学生。新型无机-有机混合复合材料越来越被视为重要的技术材料，因为它的用途包括化学传感器的涂层，以及骨水泥和光学植入物等生物医学应用。这些都是培养学生的优秀领域，因为由于工业相关性高，就业市场强劲。

This project is aimed at providing Native American undergraduate chemistry and physics majors opportunities to carry out research on the synthesis, characterization, and applications of composite materials formed from solventless reactions of layered silicates with organic monomers and biomolecules. Three specific research topics will be addressed: synthesis of novel layered silicate clay/polymer composite materials as the active components in chemical sensors; the interaction of biological molecules with layered silicate clay materials. The educational goals of this project are to train up to five Native American chemistry or physics majors by providing one-on-one faculty mentoring (up through graduation) on research experiences that include all aspects of the research process from project inception to the final reporting of results.New inorganic-organic hybrid composite materials are increasing viewed as important technological materials because of uses that include coatings for chemical sensors, and for biomedical applications such as bone cement and optial implants. These are excellent areas in which to train students because of the strong job markets due to high industrial relevance.