Shaw L. Hsu - US grants

The overall objective of this two-year cooperative research project on mechanical-vibrational studies of heterophase thermoplastic elastomers (polyurethanes) between Shaw Ling Hsu of the University of Massachusetts and Yingkang Wang, Beijing University, Fujei Lu, South China College of Tropical Crops and Renyuan Qian, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is to study the phase separation and microscopic aspects of mechanical deformation in model polyurethanes. Polyurethanes are thermoplastic materials such as rubber or rubber synthetics which become soft and pliable when heated and harden when cooled. Such materials are used in tough, resistent coatings and electrical insulation. Further understanding of polyurethane materials during chemical separation and disfigurement under mechanical conditions will serve as the basis for the development of new and improved electrical materials and coatings. The Chinese scientists will prepare the polyurethane samples, conduct morphological studies using x-ray, light scattering techniques. The U.S. scientists will conduct the spectroscopic analysis of the samples. The linkage of Chinese expertise in sample preparation and U.S. expertise in spectroscopy promotes the main objective of the U.S.-China Cooperative Science Program; which is, to advance scientific knowledge through the combined efforts and abilities of American and Chinese scientists and engineers.

The Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, supports interactive and inter- disciplinary research related to polymer science and engineering. The research is organized into three primary thrust areas. Research on pattern formation in polymer systems involves investigators from chemistry, polymer science and engineering and chemical engineering and emphasizes the dynamics of pattern formation in polymers rather than the morphology itself. The thrust on ordered polymeric solids brings together faculty and students from chemistry and from polymer science and engineering to address questions of order in crystalline and liquid crystalline polymers, periodic morphologies in polymer blends and block copolymers, and synthesis of new polymers with precisely defined structures. Research on polymers in restricted geometries addresses polymers at surfaces, thin films, the dynamics and behavior of polymers in ordered and disordered systems, and transport phenomena, and involves investigators from physics, chemical engineering, and polymer science and engineering. The MRL also supports the development, operation and maintenance of major central materials research facilities on the Amherst campus, and provides seed funding for new faculty and high-risk research related to its overall program. The program presently involves 15 faculty members, 5 postdoctoral research associates, 2 other technical professionals, 16 graduate students and 6 undergraduates. The MRL at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, is under the direction of Professor Shaw Ling Hsu.

The central focus of this research is to obtain a better understanding of the formation of micro- or macro-structures for several classes of polymers and their transformation by application of mechanical stress, electric field or heat. The ultimate goal is to obtain a general model incorporating cooperativity and capable of defining the molecular mechanism responsible for macroscopic mechanical-electrical (piezoelectric) or mechanical-optical behavior of polymers. The research is to be carried out in several stages: 1. Technique development to measure structural changes with high precision and temporal resolution; 2. Clear definition of sample morphology; 3. Measurement of the response of chain conformation or segmental orientation of each structural subunit when stressed; 4. Comparison of experimental data to presently available theories to develop more complete models. The characterization of syndiotactic poly(styrene), which exhibits several solid-solid phase transformations, will be carried out. Identification of parameters governing mechanically induced polarization, or its converse, electrical field induced stress, for piezoelectric polymers will also be a primary area of investigation. These experimental data will be initially analyzed using a cooperative transition model.

9503087 Hsu This award supports collaboration between Shaw Ling Hsu, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Yang Xiaozhen, Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, and Wu Dacheng, Chengdu University of Science and Technology, on characterization of the structures and the deformation behaviors of heterophase polymers via molecular simulation. This is an area of great interest in polymer science, with potential applications for improved understanding of the phase separated structures of various polyurethanes. Simulation studies will be conducted directed toward characterization of phase separated structures involving semi-rigid polymers used as hard segments; improved understanding of the mechanical properties of these materials; and interpretation of factors governing molecular miscibility. This collaborative effort will pursue a better understanding of the properties of polyurethane and various other advanced heterophase materials.

0090521
Byron

This award is to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to support the activity described below for 24 months. The proposal was submitted in response to the Partnerships for Innovation Program Solicitation (NSF 0082).

Partners
The partners for this award include the University of Massachusetts at Amherst; Massachusetts Ventures Corporation; Springfield Technical Community College; Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts; Kollmorgen Aerospace and Defense Group; Rexam Image Products; Western Massachusetts Electric Company; Western Massachusetts Software Company; Mass Ventures Equity Fund; National Collegiate Innovators and Inventors Association.

Proposed Activities
The activities for this award include: establishment of enabling innovation networks; technology exchange; entrepreneurship activities; commercialization; workforce development; capitalization on the strengths in research in polymer science, computer science, chemical engineering, environmental technology, and electrical engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to integrate research and education and transfer technology.

Proposed Innovation
The innovation goals for the award are to capitalize on the strong intellectual output from the University of Massachusetts to start new economic activities in western Massachusetts, which has not benefited from the economic well being of the eastern part of the state and to establish new businesses in telecommunications, and manufacturing.

Potential Economic Impact
The potential economic outcome includes formation and fostering of early stage companies; to establish a collaborative infrastructure to help isolated companies; to increase public and private investment in targeted areas.

Potential Societal Impact
The potential benefits to society include creation of new wealth through creation of new companies and new jobs, training of a technologically literate workforce with higher paying job opportunities.

This proposal was received in response to the Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 02-148, category NIRT.

Recent advances in microwave synthesis that promise to revolutionize the time required to fabricate catalysts at the nanoscale. Zeolites, mixed metal oxides and mesoporous molecular sieves typically can require extended synthesis times because of slow nucleation and growth of ordered structures. This project promises to greatly reduce the time required for preparing an array of materials, and it will also fundamentally advance our understanding of nanoporous crystalline materials synthesis. A multidisciplinary team having an excellent track record in the proposed area of research, will address synthesis, characterization and theoretical aspects of catalysis by these materials. Graduate students will clearly benefit from the interdiscplinary environment, and there will be strong participation in the on-going Northeast Alliance REU program involving minority students. The research program will forge ties with industry also.

On June 15-18, 2005, the University of Massachusetts will host the Sixth Graduate Students Research Conference sponsored by the American Chemical Society Polymer Division. The principal goal of this conference is to enhance interaction for graduate students working in chemical sciences with specific interest in polymers. The Polymer Science and Engineering Department will organize this conference along with several senior members of the American polymer community. Significantly, this is the only conference with principal emphasis devoted to graduate students. IT is important they interact with each other as emerging professionals. Research accomplishments will be presented both orally and at poster sessions. Discussions in various topics of emerging fields of study will be held by several leading researchers in the polymer community. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to meet leaders of the polymer industry on an informal basis. It is anticipated that 150 students will attend. The University of Massachusetts seeks funding in support of this conference from the National Science Foundation.

This Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) project is a Type II (A:B) partnership, occurring within the University of Massachusetts Amherst with participation from the NSF PFI graduated grantee (0090521) in collaboration with participants from two other NSF partnership supported programs (both
I/UCRCs): Center for University of Massachusetts and Industry Research on Polymers (CUMIRP), which was founded in 1980 and has since graduated but is still active, and e-Design Center (0332508/0838747). The precision manufacturing sector, primarily Small and Mid-sized Enterprises (SMEs), is an important part of the economic base of Western Massachusetts with significant employment. The industry is currently challenged by cyclical markets, increased global competition, aging facilities/technologies and insufficient labor supply. The PFI program which was put in place in 2000 successfully established a regional industry network, Regional Technology Corporation (RTC), and this proposed program will enable significant enhancement and sustainability of technology transfer. This project will stimulate transformation of relevant new discoveries at UMass to SMEs that have little or no experience working with a research institution. Drawing upon the scientific and engineering research conducted at UMass, the university and the SMEs will collaborate on targeted and tailored research projects focused on translation and application. UMass facilities, state-of-the-art testing and characterization equipment, as well as its engineering design and management tools, will complement the project's translation and application process

The expected outcome of this program is a sustainable regional innovation infrastructure that supports effective transformation of the precision manufacturing SMEs to new markets through infusion of new technologies with a flexible and capable workforce. SMEs are a significant part of the U.S. economic engine and have contributed greatly to employment growth and economic development. The evaluation and assessment of this program should lead to important and transferable learning. The focus on enhancing technology transfer and translational work with SMEs, on partnering with regional assets, and on seeking additional financial support should ensure that the impacts of the program are meaningful, documented, disseminated and sustained.

Partners at the inception of the project are Academic Institutions: University of Massachusetts Amherst (lead institution), including participation of the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research and Engagement, Office of Research Liaison and Development, Office of Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property, Polymer Science and Engineering Department, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Center for UMass-Industry Research on Polymers, Center for e-Design, and Department of Landscape Architecture and Region Planning; and Holyoke Community College; Private Sector Organizations: Ben Franklin Design and Manufacturing Company, Inc.; State and Regional Organizations: Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc., MA; and Regional Technology Corporation,(RTC), MA. Other participating organizations and personnel include Academic: Springfield Technical Community College; and State and Regional Organizations: Economic Development Council for Western Massachusetts, and Western Mass Chapter-National Tooling and Machining Association (WMNTMA).