BRIGE: Combining High Speed Extrusion and Nanoscale Interactions for Efficient Processing of Renewable Polyester Nanocomposites

技术说明：该BRIGE项目将寻求通过形成纳米复合材料来改善可再生聚合物热物理性能的途径。可再生塑料的可行性取决于低成本加工和广泛应用的热机械性能的扩展。本研究的目的是了解新的高速挤出加工与可再生聚合物基体的纳米复合材料的影响。传统的双螺杆挤出达到400 rpm的转速，但下一代挤出机现在可以达到4500 rpm。在这些高速度下的挤出共混有可能改变对纳米复合材料加工的理解。高剪切的应用也可以降解敏感的可再生聚合物，因此必须探索这种技术的局限性。本研究亦将探讨表面官能化对奈米复合材料之流变性及结构特性之影响，以推论界面增韧之机制。理论研究结果有关的相互作用，分散和增强更广泛地适用于其他聚合物纳米粒子系统。拟议研究的知识价值将通过以下方式提供：（1）新挤出混合技术的潜在变革能力，（2）定量了解纳米复合聚合物增强中界面相互作用和分散的作用，包括加工性能的流变模型，以及（3）可再生聚合物加工行为的基础知识。更广泛的意义和重要性：该项目将通过关注可持续材料、下一代科学家的教育以及扩大妇女对工程的参与，对社会产生更广泛的影响。从可再生资源中增强聚合物的新范例将加速其商业化之路。通过高速混合实现的改善的颗粒分散将导致更轻，更强和更可持续地制造纳米复合材料。在新的加工技术上获得的知识将适用于一系列多组分材料。研究和教育的整合将通过一个“教教师”的试点计划来完成，该计划为地区高中教师提供以聚合物为重点的实验范例。该项目的一个重要重点是扩大妇女对工程的参与，特别是解决从大学入学到专业工作场所的自然减员问题。扩大参与：该项目扩大参与的目标是在多个工程职业和学术层面的妇女中建立导师网络。高中技术课程的互动讨论将在对工程感兴趣的女学生中建立一个支持性的导师网络。麻省大学洛厄尔分校合作培训计划的成功将被用于学生团体之间的职业经验分享。参与的学生将有机会在工程职业生涯的各个阶段观察和模拟成功。与地区高中和职业方案的综合教育和外联活动将为有风险的学生提供工程学机会，并在职业生涯开始时提高女工程学学生的保留率。这项研究已通过工程招标，这是工程教育和中心司的工程计划的扩大参与的一部分，扩大参与研究启动赠款资助。

Technical Description:This BRIGE project will seek routes to improved thermophysical properties for renewable polymers through the formation of nanocomposites. The viability of renewable plastics depends on low-cost processing and expansion of the thermomechanical properties for a broad range of applications. The objective of the research is to understand the effects of novel high-speed extrusion processing of nanocomposites with renewable polymer matrices. Conventional twin screw extrusion reaches rotation speeds of 400 rpm, but next-generation extruders are now available that can achieve 4500 rpm. Extrusion blending at these high speeds has the potential to transform understanding of nanocomposite processing. Application of high shear can also degrade sensitive renewable polymers, so the limits to this technique must be explored. This work will also relate the effects of surface functionalization to rheological and structural properties of the nanocomposites to deduce the mechanisms of interfacial toughening. Theoretical findings relating enthalpic interactions, dispersion and reinforcement are more broadly applicable to other polymer-nanoparticle systems. The intellectual merit of the proposed research will be provided through: (1) potentially transformative capabilities of the new extrusion mixing technology, (2) quantitative understanding of the roles of interfacial interactions and dispersion in nanocomposite polymer reinforcement including a rheological model of processing properties, and (3) foundational knowledge on processing behavior of renewable polymers. Broader Significance and Importance:The project will have broader impacts on society through its focus on sustainable materials, education of the next generation of scientists, and broadening participation of women in engineering. The new paradigm for reinforcement of polymers from renewable resources will accelerate their route to commercialization. The improved particle dispersion achieved through high-speed mixing will lead to lighter, stronger and more sustainably manufactured nanocomposites. Knowledge gained on the novel processing technique will be applicable to a range of multicomponent materials. Integration of research and education will be accomplished through a "teach the teachers" pilot program that provides polymers-focused experimental examples for area high school teachers. An important focus of this project is to broaden participation of women in engineering, specifically addressing attrition from college entry to the professional workplace. Broadening Participation: The broadening participation objective of this project is to create mentorship networks among women at multiple engineering career and academic levels. Interactive discussions at high school technical programs will establish a supportive mentorship network among female students interested in engineering. The success of the cooperative training program at UMass Lowell will be leveraged for sharing of career experiences among student groups. Participating students will have the opportunity to observe and model success in all stages of the engineering career. The integrated educational and outreach activities with area high schools and vocational programs will provide opportunities in engineering for at-risk students and increase retention among female engineering students at the outset of their careers. This research has been funded through the Broadening Participation Research Initiation Grants in Engineering solicitation, which is part of the Broadening Participation in Engineering Program of the Engineering Education and Centers Division.