Acquisition of Instrumentation for Nanoreinforced Polymer Composite Research

重大研究仪器支持将通过购买扭矩流变仪、动态机械流变仪以及电导和热导率测试仪来促进德克萨斯大学泛美大学(UTPA)研究项目的发展。这一研究计划将有助于从根本上理解纳米增强聚合物复合材料的工程应用。项目研究将集中在用传统塑料加工技术制备的复合材料的工艺-结构-性能关系上。研究将研究增强体的处理、扩散和增强体与基质的相互作用。纳米增强材料对其形态、力学、热学、电学和流变性的影响将对多功能材料的发展具有重要意义。将采用挤压、注射成型和纤维拉伸等传统制造技术，以及快速成型等先进制造技术。UTPA作为一家长期服务于未被充分代表的少数民族的教学机构而受到尊敬，正在促进教师研究，鼓励本科生追求科学和工程职业，并将研究生培养为地区行业的领导者。大多数聚合物工程项目将涉及UTPA的本科生，其中85%是西班牙裔，在技术研究方面的经验有限。购买所需的仪器还将增加UTPA理工系教员的研究机会。最后，这些仪器将促进与小企业的合作研究，以及与格兰德河谷当地制造实体的培训计划，其中重要的一部分致力于聚合物行业。

Major Research Instrumentation support will enhance the development of a research program at The University of Texas PanAm (UTPA) by acquiring a Torque Rheometer, a Dynamic Mechanical Rheometer and an Electrical and Thermal conductivity tester. This research program will contribute to fundamental understanding of nanoreinforced polymer composites for engineering applications. Project studies will focus on process-structure-property relationships for composites prepared by conventional plastic processing technologies. Studies will investigate reinforcement handling, dispersion, and reinforcement-matrix interactions. Effects of the nanoreinforcement on the morphological, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and rheological properties will be of significant importance for the development of multifunctional materials. Conventional manufacturing technologies such as extrusion, injection molding, and fiber drawing will be employed as well as advanced manufacturing technologies such as rapid prototyping.UTPA, long respected as a teaching institution serving underrepresented minorities, is promoting faculty research that will encourage undergraduates to pursue careers in science and engineering and train graduate students as leaders in regional industries. Most of the polymer engineering projects will involve UTPA's undergraduates, 85 percent of whom are Hispanic and have had limited experience with technical research. The acquisition of the requested instruments will also increase research opportunities for faculty from science and engineering departments at UTPA. Finally, the instruments will foster collaborative research with small businesses as well as, training programs with the Rio Grande Valley's local manufacturing entities, an important segment of which is dedicated to the polymer industry.