Assembly of Polymeric Nanoparticles into Fibers versus Clusters: Experiment and Simulation
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering
Research Advisor
Sotiriou-Leventis, Lia
Leventis, Nicholas
Advisor's Department
Chemistry
Funding Source
Missouri S& T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program; United States Army Research Office (W911NF-10-1-0476)
Abstract
Aerogels are open pore, ultra-low density polymeric assemblies of nanoparticles that have practical use in many fields due to high surface areas, low thermal conductivities, high acoustic impedance, and low dielectric constants. However, the aggregation of nanoparticles to form aerogels is not well understood. Here, simultaneous "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches are taken to provide insight into nanoparticle agglomeration into primary and secondary particles in a polyurea aerogel system. The top-down experimental approach seeks to characterize polyurea aerogels using SEM and Elemental Analysis. The bottom-up simulation approach attempts to generate predictions of aerogel properties by constructing molecular components and simulating reaction and aggregation. Eventual results could allow for fine-tuned engineering of aerogel properties based on predetermined requirements.
Biography
Clayton was born in St. Charles, Missouri. At age 16, he enrolled in the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics, and Computing, and graduated at the top of his class, earning an Associate of Science Degree and High School Diploma simultaneously. He now attends the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and is working on two Bachelor's Degrees: one in Biology, and one in Biochemical Engineering. After completing this, he will attend medical school, and hopes to make meaningful contributions to the field of oncology.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Sciences oral presentation, First place
Location
Turner Room
Presentation Date
03 Apr 2013, 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Assembly of Polymeric Nanoparticles into Fibers versus Clusters: Experiment and Simulation
Turner Room
Aerogels are open pore, ultra-low density polymeric assemblies of nanoparticles that have practical use in many fields due to high surface areas, low thermal conductivities, high acoustic impedance, and low dielectric constants. However, the aggregation of nanoparticles to form aerogels is not well understood. Here, simultaneous "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches are taken to provide insight into nanoparticle agglomeration into primary and secondary particles in a polyurea aerogel system. The top-down experimental approach seeks to characterize polyurea aerogels using SEM and Elemental Analysis. The bottom-up simulation approach attempts to generate predictions of aerogel properties by constructing molecular components and simulating reaction and aggregation. Eventual results could allow for fine-tuned engineering of aerogel properties based on predetermined requirements.
Comments
Joint Project with Patrick Mccarver