Center for High Performance Polymeric Adhesives and Composites

该奖项授予弗吉尼亚理工学院和州立大学（VPI&amp；SU），建立了一个高性能聚合物粘合剂和复合材料科学技术中心。中心主任是James E. McGrath教授。高性能聚合物粘合剂和复合材料中心通过研究这些新材料的合成和表征、加工（粘合剂键的开发和复合材料的制备）、界面现象（基础表面科学问题和摩擦学）、以及复合结构的力学性能。这些主要领域的整合旨在对主要科学问题进行协调一致的攻击，其目标是为开发具有卓越性能或制造特性的改进材料提供基础。来自我校化学、化学工程、工程科学与力学、机械工程四个院系的近20名高级研究人员参加了中心的活动。化学家、工程师和材料科学家在中心协同工作，开发方法来了解和预测粘合和复合系统的性能。一个主要的目标是提供高分子体系中分子、界面和微观力学现象与其宏观力学性能之间的联系。新型的热塑性复合材料基体材料具有提供更好的性能和促进复合材料自动化生产的潜力。力学性能、界面化学和微观结构之间的定量关系是为了处理粘合材料的失效和断裂，并预测其性能。与工业界和其他学院和大学（包括少数民族机构）开展积极的外展计划，是中心活动的重要组成部分。

This award to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI&SU) establishes a Science and Technology Center for High-Performance Polymeric Adhesives and Composites. The Director of the Center is Professor James E. McGrath. The Center for High-Performance Polymeric Adhesives and Composites focussess on the performance of these new materials by investigations into synthesis and characterization, processing (the development of adhesive bonds and the preparation of composites), interfacial phenomena (both fundamental surface science issues and tribology), and mechanical behavior of the composite structures. The integration of these major areas is designed to permit a concerted attack on major scientific problems, the goal being to provide the basis for developing improved materials with superior performance or manufacturing characteristics. Approximately 20 senior researchers from four academic departments at VPI&SU - namely Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Science and Mechanics, and Mechanical Engineering - participate in the Center activities. Chemists, engineers, and materials scientists work collaboratively in the Center to develop methods to understand and predict the performance of adhesively bonded and composite systems. A major goal is to provide a connection among molecular, interfacial, and micromechanical phenomena in polymeric systems and their macroscopic mechanical properties. Emphasis is being placed on new types of thermoplastic matrix materials for composites, which have the potential of providing better properties and facilitating the automated production of composites. Quantitative relationships between mechanical properties, interfacial chemistry and microstructure are sought to deal with the failure and fracture of adhesively bonded materials and predict their performance. Vigorous outreach programs with industry and with other colleges and universities, including minority institutions, form an important part of the Center's activities.