Injection Molding of Microcellular Nanocomposites

这一研究项目旨在通过将纳米复合材料和微孔注射成型这两种新兴技术结合起来，促进大规模生产轻质、高性能注塑零件的基础知识和工艺技术。将进行系统的实验、分析和建模研究，以确定纳米复合材料微孔注射成型的关键工艺参数及其对材料性能的影响，并促进对微/纳米颗粒和纤维微孔塑料中微孔成核和生长的理解和数学模拟。自1976年以来，塑料一直是美国使用最广泛的材料，按体积计算超过了钢、铜和铝的总和。在各种塑料加工方法中，注塑成型占所有聚合物加工的三分之一，这些研究活动和成果将被纳入聚合物工程课程，以激发学生对高级研究和教育的兴趣。未被充分代表的群体的学生将通过本科生研究经验(REU)补充资料被招募参与研究。将强调通过工业联盟和工程外展计划与工业伙伴密切合作，以促进专业知识和资源的共享、研究成果的确认、技术转让、劳动力教育和经济收益评估。这项研究的成功将对扩大纳米复合材料和微孔注塑的工业应用和采用产生广泛的影响，最终帮助美国塑料行业在全球市场上获得竞争优势。

This research project aims to advance the fundamental knowledge and process technology for mass-production of lightweight, high-performance injection molded parts by creating synergistic marriage of two emerging technologies, i.e., nanocomposites and microcellular injection molding. Systematic experimental, analytical, and modeling studies will be conducted to identify the key processing parameters for microcellular injection molding with nanocomposites and their effects on materials properties and to advance the understanding and mathematical modeling of cell nucleation and growth in microcellular plastics with micro-/nano-scale particles and fibers. Since 1976, plastics have been the most widely used materials in the U.S., surpassing steel, copper, and aluminum combined by volume. Among the various plastics processing methods, injection molding accounts for one-third of all polymers processed.These research activities and results will be incorporated into the polymer engineering curricula to stimulate students' interest in advanced research and education. Students of underrepresented groups will be recruited to participate in the research through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) supplement. Close collaboration with industrial partners via the industrial consortium and the Engineering Outreach Program will be emphasized to facilitate sharing of expertise and resources, validation of research outcome, transfer of technology, education of the workforce, and assessment of the economic gain. Successful execution of this research will have broad impacts in extending the industrial applications and adoption of nanocomposites and microcellular injection molding, ultimately helping the U.S. plastics industry to gain competitive edge in the global marketplace.