The objective of this project is to develop lightweight, active structural polymer nanocomposites with designed-in multifunctionality, where structural integrity and reinforcement are coupled to sensing and actuation utilizing the judicious control of nanoparticle (nanotubes and layered silicates) topology, composition, interfacial chemistry and nanoscale confinement. Preliminary studies of poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposite actuators provide foundation for a systematic, focused effort.

Overall, a synergistic relationship between nanoparticle type, interface and three-dimensional distribution will result in the a polymer nanocomposite exhibiting both self-prognosis through real-time stress or strain sensing, and electromechanical actuation in response to an external stimulus or conversely electrical power generation via external mechanical perturbations. This will address requirements for active structural materials:

• improving the performance of polymeric actuators, sensors and multifunctional materials for numerous aerospace applications including structural health monitoring, sensing for morphing structures and control of adaptive structures. Shortfalls of current materials performance include small electromechanical coupling coefficients, high actuation voltage and poor blocked stress.
• delivering distributed mechano-energy harvesting to self-powered sensor systems for autonomous aerospace applications. Shortfalls of current materials performance include low (d.g) figure-of-merit and high dielectric constant, resulting in low energy conversion.

In this project, we address these material shortfalls through controlled nanoparticle addition, which will simultaneously enable tailoring of the dielectric response and local electric field distribution, and improvement of the mechanical properties, while maintaining the desirable processing methodologies of polymers and resins.

Desired Background of Fellowship Applicants

A post-doctoral researcher with the necessary tools and knowledge to control nanoparticle composition, interface and topology is sought for this project.

Point of Contact

Ramanan Krishnamoorti
Professor of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Associate Dean for Research, Cullen College of Engineering
University of Houston
4800 Calhoun
Houston, TX 77204 - 4004 (use 77004 for express mail)

Phone (713) 743 4312
Fax (713) 743 4323

E-mail:  ramanan@uh.edu
URL:  http://www.uh.edu/~ramanan

ISSO PDAF Application (MS Word)

ISSO PDAF Projects