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

gary D. Seidel，弗吉尼亚理工学院和州立大学，OISE - 1019395abstract该奖项支持Seidel教授和他的两名研究生两次计划访问墨西哥。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，并为含有单壁碳纳米管（CNT）的聚合物组成的复合材料的研究准备研究建议，这种材料通过其压阻性提供传感能力。这些材料可以用作民用结构以及汽车和飞机的变形和损坏指标。他们计划于2010年和2011年夏季访问梅里达，研究pet -碳纳米管纳米复合薄膜和乙烯基酯-碳纳米管复合材料。他们的墨西哥合作者也将带着CONACyT的资金前往弗吉尼亚理工大学进行联合研究活动。这次计划访问的目的是推进聚合物-碳纳米管纳米复合材料的研究合作，它们的合成和加工，以及它们作为结构退化和损伤传感器的能力。这是当前纳米技术应用中一个有趣的话题，在智力上既具有挑战性又有回报。这项工作将揭示有趣的宏观机电效应，以及它们如何依赖于微观尺度的组成和结构。在促进参与者之间的国际研究合作的同时，该项目将使两位来自弗吉尼亚理工大学的研究生与他们的墨西哥同行建立专业关系。成功开发用于监测结构健康的有效和廉价的材料和设备可以通过防止灾难性故障而带来重大好处。

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.