CAREER: Understanding and Controlling Anisotropy and Transport in Lonomers

技术概述：高效燃料电池、反渗透膜和？人造肌肉吗?执行器需要具有精细控制的分子和纳米级结构的新型聚合物材料。开发新型能源相关材料是迈向可持续发展的关键一步。Madsen （PI）将对相分离离子聚合物的分子排列和纳米级形态进行表征，重点研究允许快速传输的关键亲水性相。该项目将利用先进的核磁共振方法，结合电子显微镜、电导率测量和传输模拟，建立与中尺度传输和重要体属性（如质子电导率）相关的模型。Madsen还将开发使用各种溶剂、退火、电场和磁场来控制形貌的方法。这些调查将为处理方案和合理的合成策略提供重要信息。美国的大学教育计划将通过新颖的实验课程和研究生课程，将先进的聚合物核磁共振带到弗吉尼亚理工大学。K-5课程将把教师和学生与女孩和家长聚集在一起，培养科学直觉，从而培养未来的科学家。非技术总结：氢燃料电池在未来可持续能源生产和分配循环中是一个有前景的环节，而全球对清洁水的需求越来越需要先进的净化技术。水和能源是我们在这个星球上维持生命最迫切的需求。先进的聚合物可以填补这些角色，但需要进一步发展才能进入日常使用。该项目由弗吉尼亚理工大学的Louis Madsen教授指导，将重点揭示用于水净化和燃料电池的先进聚合物的新和关键方面。为了深入了解这些材料并提高性能，Madsen将应用广泛的分析和计算机建模技术。这些基础研究有望大大提高电力和清洁水的生产。她的项目计划包括对有前途的大学生的教育，以及对小学五年级女孩及其父母的帮助。后一个项目旨在从一个在今天仍未得到充分利用的群体中培养强大的未来科学家。年代的劳动力。马德森计划利用这些基础研究问题对所有公民的相关性以及他对？事情是如何运作的？我们周围的一切都在推动参与者的参与。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:Efficient fuel cells, reverse-osmosis membranes, and ?artificial muscle? actuators require new polymeric materials with finely controlled molecular and nanoscale structures. Developing new classes of energy-related materials represents a pivotal step toward sustainability.Madsen (PI) will undertake characterizations of molecular alignment and nanoscale morphology in phase-separated ionic polymers, focusing on the critical hydrophilic phase that allows fast transport. This project will build models relating mesoscale transport and alignment to important bulk properties such as proton conductivity using advanced NMR methods in combination with electron microscopy, conductivity measurements, and transport simulations. Madsen will additionally develop methods for controlling morphology using various solvents, annealing, and electric and magnetic fields. These investigations will critically inform processing protocols and rational synthetic strategies.Madsen?s university education program will bring advanced polymer NMR to Virginia Tech via novel lab sessions and a graduate course. A K-5 program will bring faculty and students together with girls and parents to develop scientific intuition, thus initiating future scientists. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:Hydrogen fuel cells form a promising link in future sustainable energy production and distribution cycles, while clean water needs worldwide are increasingly demanding advanced purification techniques. Water and energy represent our most pressing needs for sustainable life on this planet. Advanced polymers can fill these roles, but require further development to enter everyday use.This project, directed by Prof. Louis Madsen at Virginia Tech, will focus on revealing new and pivotal aspects of advanced polymers used in water purification and in fuel cells. In order to understand these materials in depth and improve performance, Madsen will apply a broad range of analysis and computer modeling techniques. These fundamental studies hold promise for greatly enhancing power and clean water production.Madsen?s project plans encompass education of promising university students, and also outreach to K-5 girls and their parents. The latter program aims to build strong future scientists from a group still under-utilized in today?s workforce. Madsen plans to use the relevance of these basic research issues to all citizens as well as his familiarity with ?how things work? all around us to drive participant engagement.