Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: An Educational Opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

智力价值这个更新项目为聋哑人和重听学生提供了一个参与聚合物领域的课堂和实验室研究工作的机会。一小群大学适龄学生将在暑假期间在塔夫茨大学实习六周。课堂和实验部分涉及聚合物和聚合物基纳米复合材料的材料化学和物理、聚合物的结晶和熔融、X射线和光与聚合物的相互作用、聚合物的机械性能，以及聚合物的热加工、结构和最终性能之间的联系。为了让学生做好参与科学界的准备，专业前培训的一个重要组成部分被纳入其中，包括在研究和学术工作中讨论伦理问题。实验室研究部分的目标是：让学生接触到实验室环境；向他们介绍制定和测试假设的概念；帮助学生进行系统研究，同时控制变量；演示现代分析设备的使用；并展示工艺变量、结构和性能之间的联系。学生将制作和表征聚合物基纳米复合薄膜，该薄膜由半结晶聚合物基质和添加剂组成，可以是有机改性硅酸盐(粘土)或玻璃纳米球。这项研究将有助于从根本上理解纳米粒子对半结晶聚合物结构和性能的影响。在这次更新中，我们将使用最新可用的仪器，强调机械性能测量。更广泛的影响该计划针对的是弱势少数群体，即聋哑人和重听大学生。该项目的独特之处在于它强调：1.团队合作；2.从头到尾完成研究项目；3.以材料科学为基础的方法；以及4.多样性。所有残疾程度的学生都是这个项目的候选人，包括那些既听不见也听不到声音的学生。更广泛的影响将是通过在他们的还原生活的形成阶段提供积极的科学经验，将聋哑人和重听学生带入更大的科学社区成为专业人士。该计划的长远目标是增加聋人和重听学生在理工科的参与，并为这些学生提供丰富和指导。

Intellectual MeritThis renewal project provides an opportunity for deaf and hard of hearing studentsto participate in classroom and laboratory research work in the field of polymers. Asmall group of college-age students will perform an internship at Tufts University for sixweeks during the summer. The classroom and laboratory components address thematerials chemistry and physics of polymers and polymer-based nanocomposites,crystallization and melting of polymers, the interaction of X-rays and light withpolymers, mechanical properties of polymers, and the connection between thermalprocessing, structure, and ultimate properties of polymers. To prepare the students forparticipation in the scientific community, a strong component of pre-professional trainingis incorporated, including discussion of ethical issues in the performance of research andin scholarship. The goals of the laboratory research component are to: expose thestudents to the laboratory environment; introduce them to the concepts of formulating andtesting hypotheses; assist students to conduct systematic studies while controllingvariables; illustrate the use of modern analytical equipment; and demonstrate theconnection between processing variables, structure, and properties.The students will make and characterize polymer-based nanocomposite filmscomprising a semicrystalline polymer matrix and an additive, which will be eitherorganically modified silicates (clay) or glass nanospheres. This research will contributeto a fundamental understanding of the effects of nanoparticles on the structure andproperties of semicrystalline polymers. In this renewal, we will emphasize mechanicalproperty measurements, using newly available instrumentation. Broader ImpactThe program is aimed at a disadvantaged minority population, of deaf and hard ofhearing college age students. The unique attributes of this program are its emphasis on:1. Teamwork; 2. Performance of a start-to-finish research project; 3. Materials sciencebasedapproach; and 4. Diversity. Students of all disability levels are candidates for thisprogram, including those students who neither hear nor voice. The broader impact willbe to bring deaf and hard of hearing students into the larger scientific community asprofessionals, by providing positive scientific experiences at a formative time in theireducational lives. The long-range goal of the proposed program is to increaseparticipation of deaf and hard of hearing students in science and engineering, and provideenrichment and mentoring for these students.