Fundamentals of Multi-Functional, Microcellular and Nanocellular Foams

在本世纪，先进的高分子材料，如微细胞和纳米细胞塑料和复合材料，将继续在技术创新中发挥巨大作用。其多功能特性已引起能源、电子、环境、汽车、航空航天、医疗保健等行业的广泛关注。NSERC发现资助申请中提出的研究计划的目标是对决定微细胞和纳米细胞塑料和复合材料的特性和功能的科学机制进行全面调查。***微孔塑料比传统的多孔塑料和非发泡塑料显示出实质上优越的特性。它们的最佳平衡强度和重量激励了其制造技术的研究和开发（R&D）活动。我们在多伦多大学微孔塑料制造实验室（MPML）的研究团队一直是微孔塑料技术研发的先驱。特别是，我们确定了发泡的关键参数和机制，并制定了有效的加工策略来控制微孔塑料的细胞结构，为它们提供不同的增值功能。***为了充分发挥微纳塑料多功能特性和复合材料技术的优势，我们提出了一项综合研究计划，研究微纳塑料的材料、加工、结构和功能之间的基本原理和相互作用。该研究将包括广泛的研究活动，包括分析和实验，短期目标集中于阐明决定(i)隔热能力，（ii）导电性和导热性，（iii）流体/乳液吸附和吸收特性以及（iv）机械性能的科学机制。利用微细胞和纳米细胞技术定制塑料和复合材料的性能和功能的能力对当今社会的技术创新非常有价值。从我们的工作中获得的发现将为正在进行的研发奠定基础，从而产生尖端、高性能的塑料和复合材料产品以及相关的制造技术。我们的研究结果将对加拿大工业及其在全球市场上竞争的能力产生直接和积极的影响。通过这个项目，参与的hqp将获得一个无与伦比的培训经验，帮助他们获得科学知识、实践经验和软技能，并建立他们的专业网络，这将促进他们在多个学科的职业发展。

In this century, advanced polymer materials, such as micro- and nanocellular plastics and composites, will continue to play a massive role in technological innovation. Their multi-functional traits have drawn significant attention from many industries, including energy, electronics, environment, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare. The program of research proposed in this NSERC Discovery Grants application has as its objective a comprehensive investigation into the scientific mechanisms that determine the properties and functionalities of micro- and nanocellular plastics and composites.***Microcellular plastics display substantially superior features over conventional cellular and unfoamed plastics. Their optimally balanced strength and weight has motivated research and development (R&D) activities on their manufacturing technologies. Our research team at the Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory (MPML) at the University of Toronto has been a trailblazer in microcellular plastic technologies' R&D. In particular, we identified critical parameters and mechanisms for foaming and developed effective processing strategies for controlling the cellular structures of microcellular plastics, providing them with different value-added functionalities. ***To fully exploit the advantages of the multi-functional characteristics of micro- and nanocellular plastic and composite technology, we propose a comprehensive research program to investigate the basic principles and interactions among the materials, processing, structure, and functionality of micro- and nanocellular plastics. The research will encompass a broad spectrum of research activities, both analytical and experimental, with short-term objectives focused on elucidating the scientific mechanisms that determine the (i) thermal insulation ability, (ii) electrical and thermal conductivity, (iii) fluid/emulsion adsorption and absorption characteristics, and (iv) mechanical properties. ***The ability to tailor the properties and functionalities of plastics and composites with micro- and nanocellular technology is highly valuable to the technological innovations of today's society. The discoveries that will result from our work will establish a basis for ongoing R&D that will yield cutting-edge, high-performance plastic and composite products as well as their associated manufacturing technologies. Our findings will have a direct and positive impact on Canadian industries and their ability to compete on the global markets. Through this program, participating HQPs will be provided with an unparalleled training experience, helping them to acquire scientific knowledge, practical experience and soft skills as well as to establish their professional network that will advance their careers in many disciplines.