Processing of Tensegrity-Inspired Nanocomposites

这项研究将带来前所未有的先进的功能纳米材料，并通过更全面地了解纳米复合材料的S组分(纳米颗粒、界面材料和基质)及其相关网络，为所有浓度水平的纳米复合材料的设计提供一般指导方针。我们正在测试一种假设，即加工方案可能会从聚合物纳米复合材料中产生张拉整体结构。张拉整体结构是由相互独立的受压构件通过张拉腹板连接而成，在自然界和工程设计中都存在。它们具有高机械性能、高弹性和低重量的独特组合。在这项研究中，这些结构将由纳米复合材料创建，其中纳米颗粒将作为压缩构件，聚合物将作为拉伸网络。研究活动将强调(1)了解加工步骤(溶解和熔融)对具有纳米颗粒形状和浓度的微观结构演变的影响，(2)充分表征纳米复合材料中的界面材料，并使用/调整适当的物理模型来描述纳米复合材料组件对机械性能的影响，以及(3)从纳米复合材料创建张拉整体结构。更广泛的影响涉及允许与研究生、本科生和高中水平的广泛的工程和理科学生进行互动的综合研究和教育计划。这位调查员将继续与亚特兰大公立学校系统梅斯高中的化学教师合作。这所高中的学生几乎全部是代表不足的学生。每年，研究人员和一名教师将共同开展纳米复合材料研究，以开发基于探究的学习模块。

This research will lead to advanced, functional nanomaterials not seen previously and provide general guidelines for the design of nanocomposites at all concentration levels through a more complete understanding of the nanocomposite?s components (nanoparticle, interphase material, and matrix) and their associated networks. We are testing the hypothesis that processing protocols may produce tensegrity-inspired structures from polymer nanocomposite materials. Tensegrity structures are composed of isolated compression members connected by a tensile web, occurring in nature and engineering design. They have a unique combination of high mechanical properties, high resiliency, and low weight. In this research, these structures will be created from nanocomposites where nanoparticles will serve as the compression members, and the polymer will serve as the tensile web. The research activities will emphasize (1) understanding the impact of the processing steps (solution and melt) on the evolution of the microstructure with nanoparticle shape and concentration, (2) characterizing fully the interphase material in nanocomposites and use/adapt appropriate physical models to describe the effect of nanocomposite components on mechanical properties and (3) creating a tensegrity-inspired structure from nanocomposite materials.The broader impacts involve an integrated research and educational plan allowing interaction with a broad population of engineering and science students at the graduate, undergraduate, and high school levels. The investigator will continue her work with chemistry teachers at Mays High School in the Atlanta Public School System. This high school has a population consisting almost entirely of underrepresented students. Each year, the investigator and a teacher will work together on nanocomposite research leading to the development of inquiry-based learning modules.