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

技术描述：该bridge项目将寻求通过形成纳米复合材料来改善可再生聚合物的热物理性能的途径。可再生塑料的可行性取决于低成本的加工和热机械性能的扩展，以实现广泛的应用。本研究的目的是了解新型高速挤压工艺对可再生聚合物基纳米复合材料的影响。传统的双螺杆挤出达到400转/分的旋转速度，但下一代挤出机现在可以达到4500转/分。高速挤出共混有可能改变人们对纳米复合材料加工的理解。高剪切的应用也会降解敏感的可再生聚合物，因此必须探索该技术的局限性。这项工作还将把表面功能化对纳米复合材料流变学和结构性能的影响联系起来，以推断界面增韧的机制。有关焓相互作用、分散和增强的理论发现更广泛地适用于其他聚合物-纳米颗粒体系。提出的研究的智力价值将通过以下方面提供：(1)新挤出混合技术的潜在变革能力，(2)对纳米复合聚合物增强中界面相互作用和分散作用的定量理解，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女性在工程领域的参与，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路线。通过高速混合改善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。在新加工技术上获得的知识将适用于一系列多组分材料。研究与教育的整合将通过“教教师”试点项目来完成，该项目为地区高中教师提供以聚合物为重点的实验实例。该项目的一个重要重点是扩大妇女在工程领域的参与，特别是解决从大学进入专业工作场所的人员流失问题。扩大参与：本项目扩大参与的目标是在不同工程职业和学术水平的女性之间建立导师网络。高中技术课程的互动讨论将在对工程感兴趣的女学生之间建立支持性的指导网络。麻省大学洛厄尔分校合作培训项目的成功将被用于学生群体之间的职业经验分享。参与的学生将有机会观察和模仿工程职业生涯各个阶段的成功。与地区高中和职业课程的综合教育和推广活动将为有风险的学生提供学习工程的机会，并提高工科女学生在职业生涯开始时的保留率。这项研究是由工程教育和中心部的工程项目扩大参与计划的一部分，即工程项目扩大参与研究启动基金资助的。

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.