CAREER: Fundamental Research Leveraging Nanoparticle-Induced Crystallization in Semicrystalline Polymer Nanocomposites

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。这个学院早期职业发展（Career）奖的研究目标是研究在半结晶聚合物纳米复合材料的加工和制造过程中自然形成（或可以故意形成）的晶体形态。这些研究反过来将为利用纳米颗粒诱导结晶的努力提供信息，以直接解决与这些材料加工相关的两个普遍问题：1)定量评估聚合物中纳米颗粒分散水平的能力；2)明智地定制纳米颗粒-聚合物界面的能力，以一种不会固有地破坏结构的方式，从而降低嵌入纳米增强材料的性能。如果成功，这项研究的结果将为解决制造和优化半结晶聚合物纳米复合材料的两个影响深远的障碍提供新的方法，这是一种新兴技术，被广泛追求赋予这种技术上重要的聚合物类别增强的多功能行为和性能。拟议的研究计划与一项教育计划相结合，该计划将开发、试点和传播以教学为灵感的、基于模拟的学习模块，这些模块利用现代工程软件工具帮助本科生可视化机械工程课程中涵盖的各种基本概念。在进行拟议的研究和教育工作时，PI将：1)积极招募和指导在这些领域工作的本科生和研究生，2)与当地高中教师和史蒂文斯工程与科学教育创新中心合作，修改K-12 STEM课程中使用的相关材料，3)积极参与外展计划，以扩大接触工程和纳米技术的学生人数，4)发展和加强这些领域的国家和国际合作。PI在从传统上在STEM职业中代表性不足的学生群体中招聘方面有着良好的记录。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The research objective of this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award is to study the crystalline morphologies that naturally form (or can deliberately be formed) during the processing and manufacturing of semicrystalline polymer nanocomposites. These studies will in turn inform efforts to leverage nanoparticle-induced crystallization to directly address two pervasive issues related to the processing of these materials: 1) the ability to quantitatively assess the level of nanoparticle dispersion within the polymer, and 2) the ability to judiciously tailor the nanoparticle-polymer interface in a manner that does not inherently damage the structure, and hence degrade the properties, of the embedded nanoreinforcement. If successful, the results of this research will enable new approaches to address two far-reaching impediments to the manufacture and optimization of semicrystalline polymer nanocomposites, an emerging technology being widely pursued to impart enhanced multifunctional behavior and properties to this technologically important class of polymers. The proposed research program is coupled to an educational initiative that will develop, pilot, and disseminate pedagogically-inspired, simulation-based learning modules which utilize modern engineering software tools to assist undergraduate students in visualizing various fundamental concepts covered within the mechanical engineering curriculum. In pursuing the proposed research and educational efforts the PI will: 1) enthusiastically recruit and mentor undergraduate and graduate students working in these areas, 2) collaborate with local high school teachers and the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education at Stevens to adapt related materials for use within the K-12 STEM curriculum, 3) actively participate in outreach programs to broaden the number of students exposed to engineering and nanotechnology, and 4) develop and strengthen national and international collaborations in these areas. The PI has a proven track record of recruiting from student populations traditionally under-represented in STEM careers.