CAREER: Integrated Research and Education on the Size Dependent Deformation in Polymers -- Indentation Tests, Material Modeling, and Numerical Simulations

Career 0846692关于聚合物中尺寸相关变形的综合研究和教育-压痕测试、材料建模和数值模拟这个学院早期职业发展(CAREAR)项目的研究目标是了解和模拟小尺寸聚合物的变形行为。研究内容包括实验研究、理论研究和数值模拟分析。在小尺寸下，聚合物的变形可以依赖于长度尺度。这种尺寸相关的变形已经在聚合物的压痕实验中观察到，其中在小压痕深度观察到硬度显著增加。聚合物在微米到亚微米尺度上的尺寸依赖变形还不是很清楚，也没有可靠的理论和理论基础。这个项目的目的是发展和验证这种尺寸相关的变形理论。了解小尺寸聚合物的变形行为不仅对技术进步具有重要意义，而且对聚合物物理和化学的根本进步也具有重要意义。技术应用包括微/纳米机电系统、传感器、复合材料。除了技术上的重要性，尺寸相关的变形对于聚合物物理和材料科学中的基本问题也是重要的，如接触和摩擦、断裂和分层以及材料界面的变形机制。作为聚合物？在更广泛的意义上？在生物材料中也有发现，该项目的发现也可能有助于理解人类骨骼和组织、木材和外骨骼的变形机制。该项目的科学研究融入了教育活动。代表不足的群体的学生，包括残疾个人和美洲土著印第安人，将通过夏令营和本科生研究，积极参与该项目的研究活动和教育计划。

CAREER 0846692 Integrated Research and Education on the Size Dependent Deformation in Polymers - Indentation Tests, Material Modeling, and Numerical SimulationsThe research objective of this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project is the understanding and simulation of the deformation behavior of polymers at small dimensions. The research includes experimental and theoretical investigations as well as numerical simulation analyses. At small dimensions the deformation of polymers can be dependent on the length scale. Such size dependent deformation has been observed in indentation experiments of polymers where significant increases in the hardness at small indentation depths have been observed. The size dependent deformation of polymers at the micrometer to sub-micrometer length scale is not well known and a sound theory and rationale is not available. The purpose of this project is the development and verification of a theory for such size dependent deformation. The understanding of the deformation behavior of polymers at small dimensions is of great importance not only for technological advancement but also for the fundamental advancement of polymer physics and chemistry. Technological applications include micro-/nano-electromechanical systems, sensors, composites. Alongside the technological importance, the size dependent deformation is also of importance for the fundamental issues in polymer physics and materials science like contact and friction, fracture and delamination, and deformation mechanisms at material interfaces. As polymers ? in a broader sense ? are also found in biological materials, the findings of this project may also aid in the understanding of the deformation mechanisms in human bones and tissue, wood, and exoskeletons. The scientific research of this project is integrated into the educational activities. Students of underrepresented groups including individuals with disabilities and Native American Indians will actively participate in the research activities and educational program of this project via summer camps and undergraduate research.