Field-Assisted Manufacturing of Multifunctional ZnO Nanowire-Polymer Nanocomposites

聚合物基纳米复合材料由于其多功能性和许多潜在的应用前景，正成为一种极具吸引力的有机-无机复合材料。该项目的目的是开发一种新型的电活性聚合物复合材料，用于需要自传感和自驱动能力的多功能应用。我们提出设计宽纳米线-聚合物复合材料，其形态在聚合物基体中被外场微定制。目标是在聚合物基体中实现纳米线的可控排列和分散，从而产生结合电致伸缩和压电特性的复合材料。这种纳米复合材料的机电响应有望超过目前最好的单相陶瓷、聚合物或薄膜，并保持聚合物的优点。纳米材料的优异性能与介电聚合物的轻质、柔韧性和可制造性相结合，为未来几代多功能材料提供了途径。这种新型纳米复合材料将对智能材料和结构应用产生巨大影响，包括压电传感器和致动器、生物传感器、结构健康监测和振动控制，在许多工业、民用、医疗和航空航天应用中。这项研究将涉及研究生和本科生的教育和培训。研究生和本科生研究人员将接受培训，从事纳米材料制造、性能表征、设备设计和评估。本科生研究经验（REU）将通过由皮特工程多样性办公室协调的暑期工程学院（SEA）计划，为来自代表性不足群体的学生创建。该项目还将通过皮特工程职业准入计划（PECAP）为每年夏季学期的K-12学生提供实践研究培训机会。本课题的研究内容将纳入本科及研究生的纳米材料与器件新课程中。

Polymer-based nanocomposites are becoming an attractive set of organic-inorganic materials due to their multifunctionality and many potential applications. The aim of this project is to develop a novel electroactive polymeric composite for multifunctional applications that require self-sensing and self-actuation capabilities. We propose to design wide nanowires-polymer composites whose morphology in the polymer matrix is micro-tailored by external fields. The goal is to achieve controlled alignment and dispersion of nanowires in the polymer matrix, resulting in a composite that combines electrostrictive and piezoelectric properties. Electromechanical response of such nanocomposite is expected to exceed the best single-phase ceramics, polymers or thin films currently available and preserve advantages of the polymers. The combination of superb properties of nanomaterials with the lightweight, flexibility, and manufacturability of dielectric polymers provides the route for future generations of multifunctional materials. The novel nanocomposites will have tremendous impact in intelligent materials and structure applications, including piezoelectric sensors and actuators, biological sensors, structural health monitoring and vibration control in numerous industrial, civil, medical and aerospace applications.The research will involve graduate student and undergraduate education and training. Graduate and undergraduate student researchers will be trained to work on nanomaterials fabrication, property characterization, and device design and evaluation. Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) will be created for students from underrepresented groups through the Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) program coordinated by the Pitt Engineering Office of Diversity. This project will also provide hands-on research training opportunities for K-12 students each summer semester through Pitt Engineering Career Access Program (PECAP). The research topics in this project will be incorporated into a new course on Nanomaterials and Devices for senior undergraduate and graduate students.