Nanomechanics of Mechanically Active Polymers

机械活性聚合物的纳米力学PI：William P. King 1，Co-PI：Ken Gall 1，21 George W.伍德拉夫机械工程学院，2材料科学与工程学院，格鲁吉亚理工学院，亚特兰大，GA 30332纳米尺度有机致动器在各种生物系统中执行关键功能。 尽管许多研究已经以相对大的尺度表征了合成有机致动，但是非常期望减小现有致动器的尺寸以允许与某些生物系统直接相互作用并促进与新兴纳米系统的集成。 小尺度下的主动聚合物变形将在生物学、医学和工程学中有应用。 该研究的目标是研究先进活性聚合物材料中的纳米力学。 具体的目标是：（1）了解纳米尺度的应变存储和恢复的形状记忆聚合物和液晶弹性体使用原子力显微镜（AFM）和压印光刻实验的基本原理。(2)使用分子动力学建模解决形状记忆聚合物和液晶弹性体中纳米级应变存储和恢复的物理现象。 (3)使用研究计划作为一种工具，创造一个独特的和令人兴奋的教育机会，让学生在各级学习纳米科学和纳米技术。拟议的研究结合了实验和理论方法和AFM，活性聚合物和原子建模的专业知识。 AFM的印象实验将被用来研究变形的大小规模，温度，和聚合物结构上的应变存储和恢复的形状记忆聚合物和液晶弹性体中的光激活驱动的影响。 多尺度分子动力学模拟将用于确定材料中的操作变形机制，并帮助解释AFM实验的结果。 实验和模拟将紧密耦合，因此实验结果有助于推动建模研究，反之亦然。 该研究由两个技术试验台驱动：纳米包装输送系统和活性生物支架。 这项研究的智力价值在于首次在纳米尺度上对机械活性聚合物进行测量和建模。 该研究通过对活性聚合物的理解取得了根本性的进步，从而产生了广泛的影响，这将有助于所有长度尺度的聚合物科学家和工程师。 这项研究是合理设计能够进行纳米级能量存储、处理和传递的工程仿生系统的必要的第一步。 这项研究强调参与，教育和培训的小学和高中学生，本科生，研究生，谁都将受益于接触纳米科学和纳米技术研究。

Nanomechanics of Mechanically Active PolymersPI: William P. King1, Co-PI: Ken Gall1,21George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, 2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332Nanometer scale organic actuators perform critical functions in various biological systems. Although much research has characterized synthetic organic actuation at relatively large scales, it is highly desirable to reduce the size of present actuators to allow direct interaction with certain biological systems and facilitate integration with emerging nanosystems. Active polymer deformation at small scales would have applications in biology, medicine, and engineering. The goal of the proposed research is to investigate nanomechanics in advanced active polymer materials. The specific objectives are to: (1) Understand the fundamentals of nanometer-scale strain storage and recovery in shape memory polymers and liquid crystal elastomers using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and imprint lithography experiments. (2) Resolve the physical phenomena in the storage and recovery of nanometer-scale strains in shape memory polymers and liquid crystal elastomers using molecular dynamics modeling. (3) Use the research program as a vehicle to create a unique and exciting educational opportunity for students at all levels to learn about nanoscience and nanotechnology.The proposed research combines experimental and theoretical approaches and expertise in AFM, active polymers, and atomistic modeling. AFM impression experiments will be used to study the effects of deformation size-scale, temperature, and polymer structure on strain storage and recovery in shape memory polymers and light activated actuation in liquid crystal elastomers. Multi-scale molecular dynamics simulations will be used to ascertain operant deformation mechanisms in the materials and to help interpret results of AFM experiments. The experiments and simulations will be tightly coupled so experimental findings help to drive modeling studies and vice-versa. The research is driven by two technology test-beds; a nanopackage delivery system and an active biological scaffold. The intellectual merit of the research lies in the first-ever measurements and modeling of mechanically active polymers at nanometer scales. The research achieves broad impact through a fundamental advancement in the understanding of active polymers that will aid polymer scientists and engineers at all length scales. The research is the necessary first step in the rational design of engineered biomimetic systems capable of nanometer-scale energy storage, processing, and delivery. The research emphasizes the participation, education, and training of elementary school and high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, who will all benefit from exposure to nanoscience and nanotechnology research.