CAREER: An Integrated Research and Education Program in Engineering Functional Block Copolymers

本提案旨在解决由活性自由基聚合技术独特衍生的功能嵌段共聚物的控制物理-相行为和结构-功能相互关系，并在选定的高级应用中开发这些新材料的物理特性。具体而言，将研究两类材料：含氟嵌段聚合物和浓缩聚电解质嵌段共聚物溶液和凝胶。含氟嵌段共聚物提供了在中等分子量下探索相图的非常强分离制度的机会。在这些材料中加入牺牲块将产生具有固有低介电常数的纳米多孔薄膜，使其成为微电子领域金属间绝缘体的有吸引力的候选者。对于浓聚电解质溶液和凝胶，其两亲性和离子特性使其形态更加丰富和复杂。加入适量的选择性溶剂（如水）和调节pH值可以引起微畴大小的变化，甚至在有序相之间发生转变。这些材料的多功能性将通过构建刺激响应设备和设备组件（如机械开关和阀门）进一步得到证明。对这些材料的纳米级结构以及这些结构如何影响宏观性能的进一步了解，将使我们有能力预先设计出具有定制性能的功能嵌段共聚物。这个研究项目是高度跨学科的；学生将完全沉浸在聚合物合成、结构表征、器件设计、制造和测试中。他们接触到的广泛的概念和技术将建立自信，并为他们未来的职业生涯提供灵活性。本提案中教育拓展部分的核心是本科和研究生课程的发展。当前和新兴的研究概念，表征技术，以及与所提出的工作相关的处理技术将在本科核心化学工程实验室课程中实施，以准确反映专业的变化趋势。同时，还将开设一门关于聚合物特性的研究生调查课程，强调在校园现有的最先进设备上进行动手实验。拟议的教育计划的任务之一是通过鼓励实践和探究式学习来加强和巩固奥斯汀公立小学和中学的科学课程。正在开发的学习材料和评估工具将在互联网上发布，以便其他地方的小学科学教师可以使用。为了提高学生的科学和工程意识，一个纳米探索展览将在奥斯汀的儿童博物馆设立。PI和她的团队还将通过“Nano@Border”教育外展计划接待来自德克萨斯大学泛美分校、德克萨斯大学布朗斯维尔分校和德克萨斯大学埃尔比索分校的交换生和教师

This proposal seeks to address the governing physics - phase behavior and structure-function interrelationships - of functional block copolymers uniquely derived from living free radical polymerization techniques, and to exploit the physical properties of these novel materials in selected advanced applications. Specifically, two classes of materials will be examined: polymers containing fluorinated blocks, and concentrated polyelectrolyte block copolymer solutions and gels. Fluorine-containing block copolymers provide the opportunity to explore the very strongly-segregated regime of the phase diagram at moderate molecular weights. Incorporation of a sacrificial block within these materials will produce nanoporous thin films with inherently low dielectric constants, making them attractive candidates for intermetal insulators in micro-electronics. As for concentrated polyelectrolyte solutions and gels, their amphiphilicity and ionic character render additional morphological richness and complexity. Adding moderate amounts of selective solvents (e.g., water) and adjusting pH can induce changes in microdomains sizes, and even transformations between ordered phases. The versatility of these materials will be further demonstrated through the construction of stimulusresponsive device and device components, such as mechanical switches and valves. An improved understanding of these materials - their nanoscale structures and how these structures affect macroscopic properties - will lead to the ability to engineer functional block copolymers with tailored properties a priori.%%%This research program is highly interdisciplinary; students involved will be fully immersed in polymer synthesis, structural characterization, device design, fabrication, and testing. The broad range of concepts and techniques they are exposed to will build self-confidence, and will provide flexibility in their future careers. Central to the educational outreach component of this proposal is undergraduate and graduate curriculum development. Current and emerging research concepts, characterization techniques, and processing technologies relevant to the proposed work will be implemented in an undergraduate core Chemical Engineering laboratory course to accurately reflect the changing trends in the profession. A graduate survey course on polymer characterization that emphasizes hands-on experimentation with existing state-of-the-art facilities on campus will be developed simultaneously. One of the missions of the proposed educational program is to strengthen and solidify the science curriculum in Austin's public elementary and middle schools by encouraging hands-on, inquiry-based learning. The learning materials and assessment tools that are being developed will be published on the internet so they are accessible to elementary school science teachers elsewhere. To promote science and engineering awareness among school children, a Nano-Exploratory Exhibit will be set up in Austin's Children Museum. The PI and her group will also be hosting exchange students and teachers from UT Pan America, UT Brownsville, and UT El Peso through the "Nano@Border" Educational Outreach Program.***