Studies of Structural Nanocomposites Using Transmission Electron Microscopy

利用透射电子显微镜研究结构纳米复合材料塔斯基吉大学（T-CAM）先进材料中心的研究人员将纳米粘土、纳米管和纳米颗粒注入各种聚合物，以制造结构复合材料，提高这些纳米复合材料的强度和刚度。为了加强对强化现象的理解，塔斯基吉大学将使用透射电子显微镜（TEM）研究粒子-聚合物相互作用和结构纳米复合材料失效的基础科学的几个方面。国家科学基金会的支持将主要用于购买一台透射电子显微镜，以提高正在进行的研究的质量。研究活动包括探测纳米复合材料中粒子的分散程度、大小、形状和排列以及粒子和聚合物之间的界面。高分子纳米复合材料和结构纳米复合材料的固化和弛豫行为是研究的热点。这一建议的智力价值在于在分子水平上对纳米复合材料进行了基础研究，确定了颗粒与聚合物之间的键合效应，并在纳米水平上使用透射电镜研究了结构-性能关系。这些研究的成功完成将为新一代结构纳米复合材料的发展奠定坚实的科学基础。T-CAM拥有塔斯基吉大学材料科学与工程博士学位。大量的非裔美国毕业生，其中许多是博士学位，将在材料科学和工程这一新兴领域培养出能够使用TEM的技能。这些毕业生将有助于为美国的先进技术劳动力带来急需的多样性。本科生和研究生也将使用TEM参与材料研究。

HRD- 0401724Studies of Structural Nanocomposites Using Transmission Electron MicroscopyTuskegee UniversityPI: Jeelani, ShaikResearchers at the Center for Advanced Materials at Tuskegee University(T-CAM) have infused nanoclays, nanotubes, and nanoparticles with various polymers to manufacture structural composites enhancing the strength and stiffness of these nanocomposites. In order to enhance understanding of the strengthening phenomena, Tuskegee University will investigate several aspects of the fundamental science of particle-polymer interaction and failure of structural nanocomposites using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). National Science Foundation support will be directed primarily towards acquiring a Transmission Electron Microscope to enhance the quality of on-going research. Research activities include probing the degree of dispersion, size, shape, and alignment of particles and interfaces between the particle and the polymer in the resulting nanocomposites. Thrust areas for research are cure and relaxation behavior of polymer nanocomposites and structural nanocomposites. The intellectual merit of this proposal lies in the fundamental studies of nanocomposites at the molecular level in determining the bonding effect between the particle and the polymer and investigation of the structure-property relationship at the nanometer level using a TEM. Successful completion of these investigations will lead to the development of a new generation of structural nanocomposites based on a firm scientific foundation.T-CAM houses Tuskegee University's Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering. A large number of African American graduates, many at the Ph.D. level, will be produced in an emerging area of materials science and engineering with skills in using TEM. These graduates will help bring much-needed diversity to the nation's advanced technological workforce. Undergraduate and graduate students will also participate in material research using the TEM.