CAREER: Large-Strain Deformation of Polymeric Gels: Non-linearity, Instability, and Fracture

技术总结：本项目的重点是溶胀聚合物凝胶在不同条件下的变形行为，作为其微观结构的函数。溶胀凝胶的大应变变形的结果取决于许多因素，如分子结构、弹性模量、粘弹性和孔隙弹性以及与该过程相关的长度尺度。 具体的技术目标包括：（a）建立溶胀聚合物凝胶的分子结构、宏观力学性质和大应变变形行为之间的关系。 (b)开发新的测量平台，用于在大应变变形过程中表征这些凝胶。(c)实现一个计算框架来描述变形过程。为了确定变形行为的相似性和差异，将考虑通过共价键、离子键和物理键形成的各种凝胶，这些凝胶由合成聚合物和生物聚合物组成。 这项工作旨在提供：（a）在分子水平上增强对凝胶结构形成的了解，（B）改进对作为聚合物结构和凝胶结构的函数的凝胶变形的理解，（c）表征这些材料所需的测量平台的进步和发展，（d）描述实验观察和预测现实应用的结果的新的计算框架，以及（e）基于这些知识的统一原则以设计新的凝胶。非技术总结：该项目旨在实现对聚合物凝胶变形行为的基本理解，也将与任何软材料相关。聚合物凝胶用于许多应用，从生物植入物到组织支架，从石油回收到药物递送。 因此，该CAREER项目将影响材料/聚合物科学，化学工程和生物医学学科。该计划还旨在对初中/高中，本科和研究生的教育和未来职业产生影响。 该计划的教育和推广部分侧重于三个部分：（a）聚合物科学和软聚合物材料课程模块的整合和进一步发展，（B）本科生参与以结果为导向的研究活动，以及（c）鼓励初中和高中学生通过实验室演示和参与小型研究项目来追求STEM专业的教育。为了鼓励更广泛的人群参与科学研究，PI计划招募来自不同人群的研究生，本科生和高中/初中参与者，包括妇女和代表性不足的少数民族。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This project is focused on the deformation behavior of swollen polymer gels under different conditions as a function of their microstructure. The outcome of large-strain deformation of a swollen gel depends on many factors such as molecular architecture, elastic modulus, viscoelasticity and poroelasticity, and length scales relevant to the process. Specific technical goals include: (a) To establish a relationship between molecular architecture, macroscopic mechanical properties, and large-strain deformation behavior of swollen polymer gels. (b) To develop new measurement platforms for characterizing these gels during large-strain deformation processes. (c) To implement a computational framework for describing the deformation process.To determine the similarities and differences in deformation behavior, a variety of gels formed through covalent, ionic, and physical bonding and consisting of both synthetic and biological polymers, will be considered. This work aims to provide: (a) enhanced insights into gel structure formation at the molecular level, (b) improved understanding of gel deformation as a function of polymer architecture and gel structure, (c) advancement and development of measurement platforms necessary to characterize these materials, (d) a novel computational framework to describe an experimental observation and to predict an outcome for real-life applications, and (e) unifying principles based on this knowledge to design new gels. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The project aims to achieve fundamental understanding of the deformation behavior of polymeric gels, and will also be relevant to any soft materials. Polymer gels are used in many applications ranging from bioimplants to tissue scaffolds to oil recovery to drug delivery. Accordingly, this CAREER project will impact the materials/polymer-science, chemical engineering, and biomedical disciplines.This program is also designed to have an impact on the education and future careers of middle/high-school, undergraduate, and graduate students. The educational and outreach component of this program focuses on three segments: (a) incorporation and further development of course modules on polymer science and soft polymeric materials, (b) involvement of undergraduate students in results-driven research activities, and (c) inspiring middle and high school students to pursue education in STEM majors through laboratory demonstrations and participations in small research projects. To encourage the participation of a broader population in scientific research, the PI plans to recruit graduate students, undergraduate students, and high/middle-school participants from diverse populations, including women and underrepresented minorities.