Collaborative Research: Characterization and Modeling of Natural Fiber Polymer Matrix Composites for Correlating Natural Fiber/Matrix Morphology with Viscoelastic Properties

该合作奖的研究目标是阐明在受控环境中生长的天然纤维的特性，并通过环境友好的方法进行脱胶以形成结构纤维。这项研究的重点是考察纤维中横截面结构的影响及其对纤维性能的影响。将对纤维特性进行建模，并将其引入可堆肥的热塑性生物聚合物。我们将进行力学测试和微观力学建模，为天然纤维复合材料的设计提供全面的基础。如果成功，通过这项研究开发的基线将形成一种新的纤维类别的蓝图。植物表现出的天然高弹性将带来新的复合材料。这一努力的影响不仅体现在人们对提高天然纤维基可堆肥结构性能的认识上，而且还体现在纤维复合材料的长期发展上。该项目将带来达拉斯得克萨斯大学和丹顿北得克萨斯大学之间的合作伙伴关系，并增强学生在植物生物学、材料表征和力学方面的跨学科经验。将在这两个机构和女工程师协会分会之间建立外联伙伴关系。

The research objective of this collaborative award is to elucidate the properties of natural fibers grown in a controlled environment and retted to form structural fibers through environmentally benign methods. The research is focused on examing the effect of cross sectional architectures in fibers and their impact on fiber properties. Modeling of the fiber properties and their introduction into compostable thermoplastic biopolymers will be conducted. We will conduct mechanical testing and micromechanics modeling to enable a comprehensive basis for design of natural fiber composites.If successful, the baseline developed through this investigation will form a blueprint for a new class of fibers. The natural high resilience that plants show will be brought to bear new composites. The impact of the effort is both immediate in the increased understanding of what improves the properties of natural fiber based compostable structures but in long term development of fiber composites. The project will bring collaborative partnerships between University of Texas at Dallas and University of North Texas in Denton and enhanced interdisciplinary experiences for students in plant biology, materials characterization, and mechanics. Outreach partnerships between the two institutions and Society of Women Engineer chapters will be conducted.