Interface Effects in High Volume Nanoscale Processing of Polymers

这项研究项目的总体目标是了解影响塑料纳米加工的基础科学。制造负责控制分子的形态和几何形状。在纳米尺度上，控制意味着理解界面效应。虽然目前的纳米技术研究大多集中在陶瓷和金属材料上，但在纳米级聚合物加工方面的工作相对较少。然而，由于其低密度、高韧性和多功能性，聚合物将在纳米技术革命中发挥重要作用。我们打算重点研究聚合物性能和工艺条件对聚合物共混物中相之间的“内部”界面和“外部”材料/工具界面的影响。这项技术的应用包括用于整合、高密度数据或能量存储的挤压多组分薄膜、注塑成型低成本校准标准，以及用于电路和选择性渗透膜的电纺纳米线和纳米织物。这一研究项目建立在我们在塑料加工领域的独特优势、我们与工业和政府实验室的特殊联系以及我们与马萨诸塞大学洛厄尔分校(UML)聚合物化学和工程专业教师的跨学科互动的基础上。作为该研究项目的一部分，我们的发现将通过研究生和本科生的支持以及面向工业界和学术界的年度研讨会来广泛传播。为了教育工业界和公众，一系列纳米技术研讨会将与联合大学非常成功的继续教育塑料研讨会项目一起开发。对于更广泛的受众，通过统一建模纳米科学与工程技术研究所和工程学院的协调，纳米技术和研究的兴奋将通过动手演示和活动传达给初中生和高中生和教师。

The overall objective of this research project is to understand the fundamental science affecting the nanoscale processing of plastics. Manufacturing is responsible for control of molecular morphology and geometry. At the nanoscale, control implies understanding interfacial effects. While much of the current nanotechnology research has focused on ceramic and metallic materials, there has been relatively little work done on the processing of polymers at the nanoscale. Yet, because of their low density, high toughness, and versatility, polymers will play an important role in the nanotechnology revolution. We intend to focus on the effect of polymer properties and process conditions on "internal" interfaces between phases in polymer blends and on the "external" material/tooling interface. Applications of this technology include extruded multicomponent thin films for conformable, high-density data or energy storage, injection-molded low-cost calibration standards, and electrospun nanowires and nanotextiles for circuits and selectively permeable membranes. This research project builds upon our unique strengths in the area of plastics processing, our exceptional contacts with industry and government labs, and our interdisciplinary interactions with faculty in polymer chemistry and the engineering programs at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (UML).The discoveries made as a part of this research project will be broadly disseminated through support of graduate and undergraduate students and yearly workshops open to industry and academia. To educate industry and the general public, a series of nanotechnology seminars will be developed in conjunction with UML's highly successful continuing education plastics seminar program. For the broader audience, through coordination by the UML Institute for NanoScience and Engineering Technology and the College of Engineering, the excitement of nanotechnology and research in general will be conveyed to middle school and high school students and teachers with hands-on demos and activities.