Planning Visits Concerning Electric and Electro-mechanical Properties of CNT-polymer Nanocomposites: An Experimental and Multiscale Modeling Approach

CNT-聚合物纳米复合材料的电学和机电性能的规划访问：实验和多尺度建模方法。塞德尔，弗吉尼亚理工学院和州立大学，OISE -1019395摘要该奖项支持塞德尔教授和他的两名研究生对墨西哥的两次规划访问。 这些研究人员将两次前往墨西哥梅里达的尤卡坦科学研究中心（CICY）。访问的目的是进行初步实验，并准备研究由含有单壁碳纳米管（CNT）的聚合物组成的复合材料的研究提案，通过其压阻性提供传感能力。这种材料可以用作民用结构以及汽车和飞机中的变形和损坏的指示器。两个计划访问梅里达定于2010年和2011年夏天调查PET-CNT纳米复合薄膜和乙烯基酯-CNT复合材料。 他们的墨西哥合作者将同样前往弗吉尼亚理工大学与国家科学技术委员会的资金进行联合研究活动。这次计划访问的目的是推进在聚合物-碳纳米管纳米复合材料的研究，其合成和加工，以及其作为结构退化和损伤传感器的能力方面的合作。这是当前纳米技术应用中的一个感兴趣的话题，在智力上既具有挑战性又有价值。这项工作应该揭示有趣的宏观机电效应，以及它们如何依赖于微观组成和结构。 在促进参与者之间的国际研究合作的同时，该项目将使弗吉尼亚理工大学的两名研究生能够与墨西哥同行建立专业关系。成功开发有效和廉价的材料和设备来监测结构健康，可以通过防止灾难性故障而带来重大利益。

Planning Visit Concerning Electric and Electro-mechanical Properties of CNT-polymer Nanocomposites: An Experimental and Multiscale Modeling ApproachGary D. Seidel, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, OISE - 1019395ABSTRACTThis award supports two planning visits to Mexico by Prof. Seidel and two of his graduate students. These researchers will travel twice to the Centro de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan (CICY) in Merida, Mexico. The purpose of the visits is to conduct preliminary experiments and to prepare research proposals for study of composite materials composed of polymers containing single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNT) that provide a sensing capability through their piezoresistivity. Such materials may find use as indicators of deformation and damage in civil structures as well as in automobiles and aircraft. The two planning visits to Merida are scheduled for the summers of 2010 and 2011 to investigate PET-CNT nanocomposite films and vinyl ester-CNT composites. Their Mexican collaborators will similarly travel to Virginia Tech with CONACyT funding to pursue the joint research activities.This planning visit aims to advance a collaboration in the study of polymer-CNT nanocomposites, their synthesis and processing, and their ability to serve as sensors of structural deterioration and damage. This is a current topic of interest in the application of nanotechnology and is intellectually both challenging and rewarding. The work should reveal interesting macroscopic electro-mechanical effects and how they depend on the microscale composition and structure. While promoting international research collaboration among the participants, this project will enable the two graduate students from Virginia Tech to establish professional relationships with their Mexican peers. Success in the development of effective and inexpensive materials and devices for monitoring structural health could have significant benefits by preventing catastrophic failures.