An Internship Opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Polymer Blends

技术摘要：聋人和听力障碍（DHH）的学生将参加课堂和实验室的研究工作，在聚合物共混物领域作为燃料电池技术中的新型质子交换膜。 一个由大学生组成的小团队将在夏季在塔夫茨大学实习六周。 教室和实验室组件解决聚合物和聚合物共混物的材料化学和物理，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，以及热加工，结构和聚合物的最终性能之间的联系。 DHH实习生将制造和表征聚合物共混物，包括半结晶聚合物，聚偏二氟乙烯，PVDF，与无定形聚合物，聚（4，5-乙烯基咪唑），PVIm，用液体离子盐质子化，最终用作燃料电池技术的新型质子交换膜。 他们将制造薄膜，电纺纤维和/或定向带，并表征所得材料的结构和性能。 这项研究将有助于从根本上了解共混物组成和热处理对PVDF晶体结构的影响，并最终了解这些共混物作为质子交换膜用于燃料电池技术的潜力。非技术摘要：燃料电池用于将化学能转化为电能，然后可用于为设备供电。 使用氢基燃料电池可能有助于减少对外国石油的依赖，并提供？绿色？替代能源。 在一种类型的燃料电池内部是一种聚合物膜，它允许氢离子（质子）在一个方向上通过，同时阻止氧气在另一个方向上的流动。 学生实习生将进行研究，以调查候选材料用作燃料电池技术中的聚合物膜。 该方案针对的是弱势少数群体，即聋人和重听大学生。 所有残疾程度的学生都是这个计划的候选人，包括那些既听不见也听不到声音也不会读唇语的学生。 更广泛的影响将是改变聋人和重听学生的生活，将他们作为专业人员带入更大的科学界，在他们教育生活的形成时期提供积极的科学经验。 拟议方案的长期目标是增加聋人和重听学生在科学和工程方面的参与，为这些学生提供丰富和指导，同时为国家贡献新的材料？的能源计划。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students will participate in classroom and laboratory research work in the field of polymer blends as novel proton exchange membranes in fuel cell technologies. A small team of college-age students will perform an internship at Tufts University for six weeks during the summer. The classroom and laboratory components address the materials chemistry and physics of polymers and polymer blends, crystallization and melting of polymers, the interaction of X-rays and light with polymers, mechanical properties of polymers, and the connection between thermal processing, structure, and ultimate properties of polymers. DHH interns will make and characterize polymer blends, comprising a semicrystalline polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, with an amorphous polymer, poly(4,5-vinyl imidizole), PVIm, protonated with a liquid ionic salt, for ultimate use as novel proton exchange membranes for fuel cell technologies. They will fabricate films, electro-spun fibers, and/or oriented tapes, and characterize the structure and properties of the resulting materials. This research will contribute to a fundamental understanding of the effects of blend composition and thermal treatment on crystal structure of PVDF, and ultimately on the potential of these blends to serve as proton exchange membranes for fuel cell technologies.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:A fuel cell is used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, which can then be used to power devices. Use of hydrogen-based fuel cells may help reduce dependence on foreign oil, and provide ?green? alternative energy sources. Inside one type of fuel cell is a polymer membrane which allows hydrogen ions (protons) to pass through in one direction, while blocking the flow of oxygen in the other direction. Student interns will perform research to investigate candidate materials for use as the polymer membrane in fuel cell technologies. The program is aimed at a disadvantaged minority population, of deaf and hard of hearing college age students. Students of all disability levels are candidates for this program, including those students who neither hear nor voice nor lip-read. The broader impact will be to transform the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing students by bringing them into the larger scientific community as professionals, by providing positive scientific experiences at a formative time in their educational lives. The long-range goals of the proposed program are to increase participation of deaf and hard of hearing students in science and engineering, provide enrichment and mentoring for these students, while contributing new materials for the Nation?s energy program.