U.S.-France Cooperative Research: Effects of Percolation on the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Nanocomposite Materials

这个为期两年的奖项为美法合作研究提供支持，以开发具有新型相互作用电气和机械性能的新型复合材料。此次合作涉及凯斯西储大学应用聚合物研究中心的Eric Baer和Anne Hiltner，以及法国格勒诺布尔约瑟夫傅立叶大学大分子研究中心的Jean-Yves Cavaille。研究人员将探索利用纳米级导电纤维素晶须开发新材料，这种晶须将分散在热塑性基质中，并与弹性体聚合物共挤压。利用微层倍增技术，研究人员将尝试生产纳米级层状复合材料。将对微层复合材料的电学特性和粘弹性力学性能进行平行研究。微层的机械性能将在美国实验室进行测量。法国调查人员将确定其电气和耦合机电性能。美国研究人员为这次合作带来了微层倍增技术和材料加工方面的专业知识。法国研究人员在纳米级材料方面的经验也补充了这一点。法国研究小组开发了纳米级导电纤维素晶须用于该项目。

This two-year award provides support for US-France cooperative research on the development of new composite materials with novel interactive electrical and mechanical properties. The collaboration involves Eric Baer and Anne Hiltner at the Center for Applied Polymer Research, Case Western Reserve University, and Jean-Yves Cavaille at the Center for Research of Macromolecules, Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble, France. The investigators will explore the development of new materials using nano-scale conductive cellulose whiskers, which will be dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix and coextruded with an elastomeric polymer. Using microlayer multiplying technology, the investigators will try to produce nano-scale layered composite materials. Parallel studies will be conducted on the electrical characteristics of the microlayered composites and the viscoelastic mechanical properties of these systems. The mechanical properties of the microlayers will be measured in the US laboratory. French investigators will determine the electrical and coupled mechanical-electrical properties. The US investigators bring to this collaboration expertise in microlayer multiplying technology and materials processing. This is complemented by the French investigators' experience in nano-scale materials. The French group developed the nano-scale conductive cellulose whiskers to be used in this project.