An Internship Opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Polymer Blends

技术摘要：聋人和重听(DHH)学生将参与在燃料电池技术中作为新型质子交换膜的聚合物混合物领域的课堂和实验室研究工作。暑假期间，一个由大学适龄学生组成的小组将在塔夫茨大学进行为期六周的实习。课堂和实验部分涉及聚合物和聚合物共混的材料化学和物理，聚合物的结晶和熔融，X射线和光与聚合物的相互作用，聚合物的机械性能，以及聚合物的热加工、结构和最终性能之间的联系。DHH实习生将制造和表征聚合物混合物，包括半结晶聚合物聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)和非晶态聚合物聚(4，5-乙烯基咪唑)PVIm，用液体离子盐质子化，最终用作燃料电池技术的新型质子交换膜。他们将制造薄膜、电纺纤维和/或取向带，并表征所得到的材料的结构和性能。这项研究将有助于从根本上了解共混物组成和热处理对PVDF晶体结构的影响，并最终了解这些共混物作为燃料电池技术的质子交换膜的潜力。非技术摘要：燃料电池用于将化学能转化为电能，然后可用于动力装置。氢基燃料电池的使用可能有助于减少对外国石油的依赖，并提供绿色？替代能源。在一种类型的燃料电池内部是一层聚合物膜，它允许氢离子(质子)在一个方向上通过，同时阻止氧气在另一个方向上流动。学生实习生将进行研究，以调查用作燃料电池技术中聚合物膜的候选材料。该计划针对的是弱势少数群体，即聋哑人和重听大学生。所有残疾程度的学生都是这个项目的候选人，包括那些既不能听也不能发声，也不能读唇语的学生。更广泛的影响将是通过将聋人和重听学生作为专业人员带入更大的科学界，在他们教育生活的形成阶段提供积极的科学经验，从而改变他们的生活。该计划的长远目标是增加聋人和重听学生在理工科的参与度，为这些学生提供丰富和指导，同时为国家？S能源计划贡献新的材料。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students will participate in classroom and laboratory research work in the field of polymer blends as novel proton exchange membranes in fuel cell technologies. A small team of college-age students will perform an internship at Tufts University for six weeks during the summer. The classroom and laboratory components address the materials chemistry and physics of polymers and polymer blends, crystallization and melting of polymers, the interaction of X-rays and light with polymers, mechanical properties of polymers, and the connection between thermal processing, structure, and ultimate properties of polymers. DHH interns will make and characterize polymer blends, comprising a semicrystalline polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, with an amorphous polymer, poly(4,5-vinyl imidizole), PVIm, protonated with a liquid ionic salt, for ultimate use as novel proton exchange membranes for fuel cell technologies. They will fabricate films, electro-spun fibers, and/or oriented tapes, and characterize the structure and properties of the resulting materials. This research will contribute to a fundamental understanding of the effects of blend composition and thermal treatment on crystal structure of PVDF, and ultimately on the potential of these blends to serve as proton exchange membranes for fuel cell technologies.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:A fuel cell is used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, which can then be used to power devices. Use of hydrogen-based fuel cells may help reduce dependence on foreign oil, and provide ?green? alternative energy sources. Inside one type of fuel cell is a polymer membrane which allows hydrogen ions (protons) to pass through in one direction, while blocking the flow of oxygen in the other direction. Student interns will perform research to investigate candidate materials for use as the polymer membrane in fuel cell technologies. The program is aimed at a disadvantaged minority population, of deaf and hard of hearing college age students. Students of all disability levels are candidates for this program, including those students who neither hear nor voice nor lip-read. The broader impact will be to transform the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing students by bringing them into the larger scientific community as professionals, by providing positive scientific experiences at a formative time in their educational lives. The long-range goals of the proposed program are to increase participation of deaf and hard of hearing students in science and engineering, provide enrichment and mentoring for these students, while contributing new materials for the Nation?s energy program.