Toughening of Thermosetting Polymers Through Nanoparticulate Reinforcement

0099629 Singh本研究将研究通过掺入各种纳米颗粒来增韧高度交联的热固性聚合物。直接制造技术将用于独立控制增强体几何形状（尺寸、尺寸分布和形态）、增强体材料、增强体体积分数和界面粘合特性。这些加固参数的影响，断裂机制，断裂韧性和材料的响应，将其特征在于直接实验。基于这一基本特性，将开发分析/数值模型来预测整体材料响应和韧性。 这项调查的教育部分是针对增加本科教育和研究之间的整合，特别强调增加代表性不足的少数民族在工程中的参与。本科生将被招募从事与研究部分相关的各种任务。与此同时，具体的研究成果和项目将被引入本科课程，重点是材料的行为。此外，学生将定期访问当地高中，并建立内部实验室演示。 这些活动将使高中生接触到基于尖端纳米技术的创新材料的兴奋和挑战。最后，教育和研究活动的结果将定期在一个专门网页上公布，这将使人们能够与传统的纸质出版物不同，同时获得反馈和互动。

0099629Singh This study will investigate the toughening of highly cross-linked thermosetting polymers by the incorporation of various nanoparticles. A direct fabrication technique will be used to independently control the reinforcement geometry (size, size distribution and morphology), reinforcement material, reinforcement volume fraction, and interfacial adhesion characteristics. The effects of these reinforcement parameters, on the fracture mechanisms, fracture toughness and material response, will be characterized by direct experimentation. Based on this fundamental characterization analytical/numerical models will be developed to predict the overall material response and toughness. The education component of this investigation is targeted towards increased integration between undergraduate education and research with special emphasis on increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities in engineering. Undergraduate students will be recruited to work on various tasks relevant to the research component. At the same time, specific research findings and projects will be introduced into undergraduate courses that focus on the behavior of materials. Also, students will make periodic visits to local high schools and setup in-house laboratory demonstrations. These activities will expose high school students to the excitement and challenges of innovative materials based on cutting-edge nanotechnology. Finally, results from the education and research activities will be published regularly on a dedicated web page, which will enable concurrent feedback and interaction unlike traditional paper-based publication.***