Polymers | Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State

Polymer Research Highlighted on New Journal Cover

Date Posted:

February 23, 2012

Researchers in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MATSE) at Penn State have published their work on the cover of the latest issue of ACS Macro Letters, a new journal in polymer science. Learn more>>

Polymers for Water and Energy

Date Posted:

September 27, 2011

The research group of Materials Science and Engineering Assistant Professor Mike Hickner continues to explore new surface coatings and ionic membranes for antifouling and water treatment applications. Their work, funded by the U.S. Navy, seeks to develop new polymers that resist protein adhesion and biofouling through tuning the hydration and surface chemistry of polymers.

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Extracting Oil and Tar from Sand

Date Posted:

March 8, 2011

The Separation of Oil or Tar from Sand Using Ionic Liquids
Dr. Paul Painter, Penn State University

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Petro-SAP for Oil Spill Recovery

Date Posted:

December 3, 2010

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Michael Hickner

Michael Hickner
Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Virginia S. and Philip L. Walker, Jr. Faculty Fellow
310 Steidle Building
(814) 867-1847
hickner@matse.psu.edu

Research Group Website

Biographical Sketch:

Mike Hickner received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). In graduate school he worked under the direction of James E. McGrath and also spent time at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Before joining Penn State as an Assistant Professor in 2007, he was a postdoc and subsequently became a staff member at Sandia National Laboratories. Professor Hickner’s research and teaching interests include all aspects of polymeric materials, polymer micro- and nano-structure, transport characterization, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and new materials for energy applications.

Research Interests:

Functional polymeric materials
Electrochemistry and electrochemical technology
Transport in materials
Vibrational spectroscopy
Micro- and nano-phase separation
Membrane separations
Materials chemistry

Areas of Research:

Research in the Hickner group probes the connection between the molecular identity, nanophase structure, and the resulting transport properties in polymeric materials. Our activities are motivated by application-specific needs that drive fundamental investigations into new materials chemistry and demand incisive measurements of the structure and transport properties of novel materials. We characterize technologically important materials and synthesize model materials systems to probe specific structural and property questions.
A significant thrust in our group is directed towards the study of ion-containing polymers that form robust membranes and absorb water. These types of materials are the basic functional units of solid-state electrochemical systems such as fuel cells and electrolyzers and enable water treatment technologies such as nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. The binding and diffusion of the absorbed water internal to the membrane structure and the interactions between the polymer, ions, and water are important aspects of these materials which ties the transport properties to the nano-scale and molecular features.

We employ tools such as impedance spectroscopy, NMR, TEM, AFM, vibrational spectroscopy, calorimetry, and scattering to probe the structure and transport in multiphase polymeric materials. Our team is composed of a diverse group of materials scientists, chemists, and engineers with wide ranging skills in synthesis, advanced experimental technique development, and analytical analysis. Ultimately, the goal of our group’s work is to have impact on novel applications of polymer membranes and to uncover the fundamental factors that influence the structure and resulting properties of polymeric materials.

Technology Impacted By Research:

Fuel cells
Water treatment membranes
Surface properties of polymers
Electrochemical reactors
Membrane processes

Journal Articles and Publications:

Selected from over 65 with more than 3200 citations - full list

Gross, M. L., K. R. Zavadil, M. A. Hickner, “Chemical Mapping and Electrical Conductivity of Carbon Nanotube Patterned Arrays,” J. Mater. Chem. 2011, DOI:10.1039/C1JM11107H.

Kim, S., T. Tighe, B. Schwenzer, J. Yan, J. Zhang, J. Liu, Z. Yang, M. A. Hickner, “Chemical and Mechanical Degradation of Sulfonated Poly(sulfone) Membranes in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries,” J. Appl Electrochem. 2011, DOI:10.1007/s10800-011-0313-0.

Xie, H., T. Saito, M. A. Hickner, “Zeta Potential of Ion-Conductive Membranes by Streaming Current Measurements,” Langmuir 2011, 27(8), 4721–4727.

Mendoza, A. J., M. A. Hickner, J. Morgan, K. Rutter, C. Legzdins, “Raman Spectroscopic Mapping of the Carbon and PTFE Distribution in Gas Diffusion Layers,” Fuel Cells 2011, 11(2), 248-254.

Elabd, Y. A., M. A. Hickner, “Block Copolymers for Fuel Cells,” Macromolecules 2011, 44(1), 1-11.

Saito, T., T. H. Roberts, T. E. Long, B. E. Logan, M. A. Hickner, “Neutral Hydrophilic Cathode Catalyst Binders for Microbial Fuel Cells,” Energ. Environ. Sci. 2011, 4(3), 928-934.

Lee, D. K., T. Saito, A. J. Benesi, M. A. Hickner, H. R. Allcock, “Characterization of Water in Proton Conducting Membranes by Deuterium NMR T1 Relaxation,” J. Phys. Chem. B. 2011, 115(5), 776–783.

Vaughn, D., R. Patel, M. A. Hickner, R. E. Schaak, “Single Crystal Colloidal Nanosheets of GeS and GeSe,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132(43), 15170–15172.

Kim, S., J. Yan, B. Schwenzer, J. Zhang, L. Li, J. Liu, Z. Yang, M. A. Hickner, “Investigation of Sulfonated Poly(phenylsulfone) Membrane for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries,” Electrochem. Comm. 2010, 12, 1650–1653.

Schaefer, Z. L., M. L. Gross, M. A. Hickner, R. E. Schaak, “Uniform Hollow C-Shells: Nano-Engineered Graphitic Supports for Improved Oxygen Reduction Catalysis,” Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. 2010, 49(39), 7045-704.

Moore, H. D., T. Saito, M. A. Hickner “Morphology and Transport Properties of Midblock-sulfonated Triblock Copolymers,” J. Mater. Chem. 2010, 20, 6316-6321.

Hickner, M. A., “Ion-Containing Polymers: Functional Materials for New Energy and Clean Water,” Materials Today 2010, 13(5), 34-41.

Yan, J., M. A. Hickner “Anion Exchange Membranes by Bromination of Benzylmethyl-containing Poly(sulfone)s,” Macromolecules 2010, 43, 2349–2356.

Xu, K., K. Li, C. S. Ewing, M. A. Hickner, Q. Wang, “Synthesis of Proton Conductive Polymers with High Electrochemical Selectivity,” Macromolecules 2010, 43 (4), 1692–1694.

Saito, T., H. D. Moore, M. A. Hickner, “Synthesis of Mid-block Sulfonated Triblock Copolymers,” Macromolecules 2010, 43 (2), 599-601.

Mangiagli, P. M., C. S. Ewing, K. Xu, Q. Wang, M. A. Hickner, “Dynamic Water Uptake of Flexible Ion-Containing Polymer Networks,” Fuel Cells 2009, 9(4), 432-438.

Song, Y., M. A. Hickner, S. R. Challa, R. M. Dorin, R. M. Garcia, H. Wang, Y.-B. Jiang, P. Li, Y. Qiu, F. van Swol, C. J. Medforth, J. E. Miller, T. Nwoga, K. Kawahara, W. Li, J. A. Shelnutt, “Evolution of Dendritic Platinum Nanosheets Into Ripening-Resistant Holey Sheets,” Nano Letters 2009, 9(4), 1534-1539.

Hickner

Evangelos Manias

Evangelos Manias
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
325-D Steidle Building
(814) 863-2980
manias@matse.psu.edu
http://zeus.plmsc.psu.edu/

Biographical Sketch:

Professor Manias received his B.S. degree in Physics from the Aristotle U in Thessaloniki, Greece, and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from U. of Groningen, the Netherlands. He subsequently carried out postdoctoral research in the Materials Science and Engineering department at Cornell U, before joining Penn State as an assistant professor in 1998. His research combines theoretical, simulation, and experimental approaches focused on explaining how nanoscale structures affect the macroscopic materials properties in multi-phase polymer systems, and on further designing appropriate structures and functionalities that lead to high-performance novel materials.

Research Interests:

Polymer/Inorganic nanocomposite materials
Polymers at surfaces, interfaces, and confinements; structure and dynamics of nano-confined polymers
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) studies of polymer surfaces
Smart/Responsive polymers and soft-condensed matter systems

Areas of Research:

Professor Manias’ research focuses on the development of new high performance polymer and polymer-composite materials, with approaches spanning the range from basic-science fundamentals to engineering development of materials designed for specific applications. All of these research efforts exploit the unique opportunities of nanoscale structures and nanoscopic components in polymer and organic materials.
More specifically, examples of recent work in Professor Manias’ research group include: (a) development of high performance polymer/inorganic nanocomposites, involving synthesis, processing, fundamental physics, and engineering design approaches; (b) atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of polymer surfaces and polymer nanostructures, including he development of new state-of-the-art instruments and modifications of AFM modes of operation; (c) fundamental understanding of nanoscopically confined polymer electrolytes and lubricants, based on molecular modeling; and (d) design and syntheses of smart polymers that respond to external stimuli –such as temperature, electric fields, and pH– and applications of these smart materials in biomedical and surface applications.
A unique feature of Manias’ research group approach in its investigations is the concurrent in-depth employment of polymer physics, molecular modeling computer simulations, synthetic chemistry, and engineering approaches –design, processing, characterization, structure-property relations, and application-driven materials development. The feedback and cross-fertilization between fundamental science, computer modeling, and engineering approaches offers unprecedented opportunities for fast progress in research, and to date has yielded diverse results that were featured in eminent scientific journals of physics, polymers, and engineering, new technologies that were patented, and new advances in materials that were featured in popularized-science books and magazines.

Technology Impacted By Research:

Polymer nanocomposites for structural, barrier, packaging, fire resistance, and biomedical applications
Smart polymers for microfluidics, smart-surfaces, biomedical, biological, and for biodetection and toxic removal
Molecular modeling for technologies related to lubrication, advanced polymer electrolytes, and fuel cells
Advanced packaging, defense-related composites, fuel cell membranes.

Journal Articles and Publications:

Full list of publications (up to date, incl. full-text where allowed)

"Nanocomposites: Stiffer by Design", E. Manias, Nature Materials, 6, 9-11 (2007)
"Nested self-similar wrinkling patterns in skins", K. Efimenko, M. Rackaitis, E. Manias, A. Vaziri, L. Mahadevan, J. Genzer, Nature Materials, 4, 293-297 (2005)
"Polymerically modified layered silicates: An effective route to nanocomposites", J. Zhang, E. Manias, C.A. Wilkie, J. Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, 8, 1597-1615 (2008)
"Simulation insights on the structure of nanoscopically confined poly(ethylene oxide)", V. Kuppa, S. Menakanit, R. Krishnamoorti, and E. Manias, J. Polym. Sci. B: Polym. Phys. 41, 3285-3298 (2003)
"Polypropylene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites: A Review of Synthetic Routes and Materials Properties", E. Manias, A. Touny, L. Wu, K. Strawhecker, B. Lu, T.C. Chung, Chemistry of Materials, 13, 3516-3523 (2001)

ResearcherID (A-7557-2011)

Manias

James Runt

James Runt
Professor of Polymer Science
325-C Steidle Building
(814) 863-2749
runt@matse.psu.edu

Biographical Sketch:

James Runt is currently Professor of Polymer Science in the MatSE Department at Penn State. Dr. Runt is the author of >180 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers. He is an editor of the ACS Professional Reference Series book: Dielectric Spectroscopy of Polymeric Materials: Fundamentals and Applications, and is a co-editor of the recent ACS Symposium Series book: Polymers for Energy Storage and Delivery: Polyelectrolytes for Batteries and Fuel Cells. He recently served on the Editorial Advisory Board of the journal Macromolecules, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Dielectrics Society. Dr. Runt received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees at Penn State, the latter in Solid State Science (with a concentration in polymeric materials).

Research Interests:

Broadband dielectric spectroscopy; polymer dynamics
Ion-containing polymers: electrolytes, ionomers
Segmented polyurethane and polyurea block copolymers
Hydrogen bonded polymer blends and solutions
Polymers with intrinsic microporosity (PIMs)
Crystalline polymers, from renewable resources
Nanoscale structure and morphology

Areas of Research:

Our group’s research is focused on three principle areas:

Ion and polymer dynamics and nanoscale structure of ‘single ion’ polymer conductors and more conventional ion-containing polymer systems (ionomers). The principle techniques used in these experimental investigations are broadband dielectric (= impedance) spectroscopy and X-ray scattering.
Polyurethane and polyurea segmented block copolymers. This work focuses on the role of hard and soft segment chemistries on nanodomain phase separated morphology, unlike segment mixing (using principally small-angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy) and polymer dynamics. Polyurethane chemistries have been chosen to reflect those of interest as blood-contacting biomaterials, and polyurea chemistries of interest in protection against shock impact loading (traumatic brain injury).
Investigation of segmental and local dynamics of an array of complex polymer systems including oriented elastomers and crystalline polymers, polymer blends and solutions exhibiting inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding, polyurethane block copolymers, biopolymers, and polymer nanocomposites.

Technology Impacted By Research:

Polymers in energy applications; Polyurethanes and polyureas; Li ion battery electrolytes; Ionomers; Polymers of intrinsic microporosity; Blood-contacting polymers in biomedical devices; Polymer blends/alloys; High performance polymers.

Journal Articles and Publications:

T. Choi, D. Fragiadakis, C.M. Roland and J, Runt, Microstructure and Segmental Dynamics of Polyurea Under Uniaxial Deformation, Macromolecules 45, 3581 (2012).
C. Chanthad, K.A. Masser, K. Xu, J. Runt, and Q. Wang, Synthesis of Triblock Copolymers Composed of Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and Ionic Liquid Segments, J Mater Chem 22, 341 (2012).
S. Liang, U.H. Choi, W. Liu, J. Runt and R.H. Colby, Synthesis and Lithium Ion Conduction of Polysiloxane-based Single-Ion Conductors Containing Novel Weak-Binding Borates, Chem Mater 24, 2316 (2012)
A. Castagna, A. Pangon, T. Choi, G. Dillon, J. Runt, The Role of Soft Segment Molecular Weight on Microphase Separation and Dynamics in Bulk Polymerized Poly(tetramethylene oxide) Based Polyureas. Macromolecules 45, 8438 (2012).
M. Grujicic, R. Yavari, J. S. Snipes, S. Ramaswami, J. Runt, J. Tarter, G. Dillon, Molecular-Level Computational Investigation of Shock-Wave Mitigation Capability of Polyurea, Journal of Materials Science 47, 1897 (2012).
G.J. Tudryn, M.V. O’Reilly, S. Dou, D.R. King, K.I. Winey, J. Runt, R.H. Colby, Molecular Mobility and Cation Conduction in Polyether-ester-sulfonate Copolymer Ionomers, Macromolecules 45, 3962 (2012).
A. G. McDermott, G. S. Larsen, P. M. Budd, C. M. Colina, and J. Runt, Structural Characterization of a Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity: X-Ray Scattering With Interpretation Enhanced by Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Macromolecules 44, 14 (2011).
A. Castagna, W. Wang, K.I. Winey, J. Runt, Structure and Dynamics of Zinc Neutralized Sulfonated Polystyrene Ionomers. Macromolecules.44, 2791 (2011).
A. Castagna, D. Fragiadakis, H.K. Lee, T. Choi, and J. Runt, “The Role of Hard Segment Content on the Molecular Dynamics of Poly(tetramethylene oxide) Based Polyurethane Copolymers”, Macromolecules 44, 7831 (2011).
A. Castagna, W. Wang, K.I. Winey, J. Runt, “Influence of Cation Type on Structure and Dynamics of Sulfonated Polystyrene Ionomers“, Macromolecules. 44, 5420 (2011)
A. Castagna, W. Wang, K.I. Winey, J. Runt, Sulfonation Effects on the Structure and Dynamics of Sulfonated Polystyrene Copolymers. Macromolecules 43, 10498 (2010).
K.A. Masser, H.Q. Zhao, P.C. Painter, J. Runt, Local Relaxation Behavior and Dynamic Fragility in Hydrogen Bonding Polymer Blends”. Macromolecules 43, 9004 (2010).
H.K. Lee, D. Fragiadakis, D.J. Martin, A. Milne, J. Milne and J. Runt. Dynamics of Uniaxially Oriented Elastomers Using Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy. Macromolecules 43, 3125 (2010).
D. Fragiadakis and J. Runt. Microstructure and Dynamics of Semi-crystalline Poly(ethyleneoxide) - Poly(vinyl acetate) Blends. Macromolecules 43, 1028 (2010).
M.M. Mok, K.A. Masser, J. Runt, J. M. Torkelson. Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy of Gradient Copolymers and Block Copolymers: Comparison of Breadths in Relaxation Time for Systems with Increasing Interphase. Macromolecules 43, 5740 (2010).
K.A. Masser and J. Runt. Dynamics of Polymer Blends of a Strongly Interassociating Homopolymer with Poly(vinyl methylether) and Poly(2-vinyl pyridine). Macromolecules 43, 6414 (2010).
T. Choi, J. Weksler, A. Padsalgikar and J. Runt, Microstructural Organization of Polydimethylsiloxane Soft Segment Polyurethanes Derived From a Single Macrodiol. Polymer 51, 4375 (2010).
L.C. Xu, J. Runt and C.A. Siedlecki, Dynamics of Hydrated Polyurethane Biomaterials: Surface Microphase Restructuring, Protein Activity and Platelet Adhesion. Acta Biomaterialia 6, 1938 (2010).
M. Grujicic, B. Pandurangan, A. E. King, J. Runt, J. Tarter and G. Dillon, Multi-Length Scale Modeling and Analysis of Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties in a Polyurea. J. Materials Sci. 46, 1767 (2010).
D. Fragiadakis, S. Dou, R.H. Colby, and J. Runt. Molecular Mobility and Li+ Conduction in Polyester Copolymer Ionomers Based on Poly(ethylene oxide). J. Chem Phys 130, 064907 (2009).
M.F. Lu, J. Runt and P.C. Painter. An Infrared Spectrocopic Study of a Polyester Copolymer Ionomer Based on Poly(ethylene oxide). Macromolecules 42, 6581 (2009).
T. Choi, J. Weksler, A. Padsalgikar and J. Runt. Influence of Soft Segment Composition on Phase Separated Microstructure of Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Multiblock Polyurethane Copolymers. Polymer 50, 2320 (2009).
X. Zhou, X. Zhao, Z. Suo, C. Zou, J. Runt, S. Liu, S.H. Zhang and Q.M. Zhang. Electrical Breakdown and Ultrahigh Electrical Energy Density in Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) Copolymer. Appl Phys Lett 94, 162901 (2009).
P. Atorngitjawat, R.J. Klein, A.G. McDermott, K.A. Masser, P.C. Painter and J. Runt. Dynamics of Concentrated Solutions of Low Molecular Weight Phenolics and Poly(2-vinylpyridine): Role of Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding. Polymer 50, 2424 (2009).
R. Hernandez, J. Weksler, A. Padsalgikar, T. Choi, E. Angelo, J.S. Lin, L.C. Xu, C.A. Siedlecki and J. Runt. A Comparison of Phase Organization of Model Segmented Polyurethanes With Different Intersegment Compatibilities, Macromolecules 41, 9767 (2008).
D. Fragiadakis, S. Dou, R.H. Colby, and J. Runt. Molecular Mobility, Ion Mobility and Mobile Ion Concentration in Poly(ethylene oxide)-Based Polyurethane Ionomers. Macromolecules 41, 5723 (2008).

Runt

Qing Wang

Qing Wang
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
N-322 Millennium Science Complex
(814) 863-0042
wang@matse.psu.edu
www.matse.psu.edu/wang

Biographical Sketch:

Coming soon.

Research Interests:

Functional polymers
Semiconducting polymers
Metal-containing polymers
Nanocomposites
Dielectric polymers
Organic thin films
Self-assembly
Molecular recognition
Supramolecular chemistry
Micro/nano-patterning
Optoelectronics
Molecular electronics
Sensors

Areas of Research:

The research programs in my laboratory are centered on using chemical and material engineering approaches towards the development of novel functional polymers and polymer nanocomposites with unique electronic, photonic and transport properties. The projects aim to improve fundamental understanding of polymers and polymer nanocomposites by investigating how molecular and multiple-scale assembled structures influence macroscopic physical properties. The research is highly multidisciplinary at the interface of several fields, including polymer and materials chemistry, structural characterization, materials processing, physical property measurement, and device engineering. Current interests involve the molecularly engineering dielectric properties of ferroelectric polymers for high-energy-density capacitors, developing polymer membranes with superb proton conductivity and electrochemical selectivity for fuel cells, and enhancing charge mobility in conjugate polymers for high-efficiency photovoltaic cells.
We are developing organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures by incorporating inorganic nanoparticles into polymer matrix. These hybrids allow the remarkable physical properties of organic materials to be combined with their inorganic counterparts, thus presenting great opportunities for synergistic properties. By varying macromolecular architecture and utilizing the tailored interactions such as hydrogen bonding, molecular recognition, electrostatic, or dipolar associations, the nanoscopic organization and composition of functional components can be controlled to tune the functionality and property of the resulting composites. For instance, polymer nanocomposites have been prepared using ferroelectric polymers and surface-functionalized TiO2 and BaTiO3 nanoparticles. Substantial enhancements in electric displacement and energy density due to the interfacial polarization and the exchange coupling effect have been demonstrated in the nanocomposites. This work opens a new route towards high-performance dielectric nanocomposites by judiciously selecting a combination of polymer matrix and nanoparticles with balanced dielectric properties.

Technology Impacted By Research:

capacitors, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, actuators, coatings, sensors, organic electronics, and polymer synthesis.

Journal Articles and Publications:

J. Li, J. Claude, L. E. Norena-Franco, S. I. Seok, Q. Wang, “Electrical Energy Storage in Ferroelectric Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Surface-functionalized BaTiO3 Nanoparticles,” Chem. Mater., 20, 6304 (2008).
Y. Lu, J. Claude, L. E. Norena-Franco, Q. Wang, “Structural Dependence of Phase Transition and Dielectric Relaxation in Ferroelectric Poly(vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene-trifluoroethylene)s,” J. Phys. Chem. B, 112, 10411 (2008).
K. Xu, K, Li, P. Khanchaitit, Q. Wang, “Synthesis and Characterization of Self-assembled Sulfonated Poly(styrene-b-vinylidene fluoride-b-styrene) Triblock Copolymers for Proton Conductive Membranes,” Chem. Mater., 19, 5937 (2007).
K. Li, S. Liang, Y. Liu, Q. Wang, “Synthesis of Telechelic Fluoropolymers with Well-defined Functional End Groups for Cross-linked Networks and Nanocomposites,” Macromolecules, 40, 4121 (2007).
Y. Lu, J. Claude, B. Neese, Q. M. Zhang, Q. Wang, “A Modular Approach to Ferroelectric Polymers with Chemically Tunable Curie Temperatures and Dielectric Constants,” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 128, 8120 (2006).

Wang

Coray Colina

Coray M. Colina
Corning Faculty Fellow;
Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering;
Director, REU in Soft Materials
320 Steidle Building
(814) 865-3351
colina@matse.psu.edu
Research Group WebPage

Biographical Sketch:

Professor Colina obtained her Ph.D. at the North Carolina State University (2004) and her B.S. (1993) and M.Sc. (1994) at Simón Bolívar University. She was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has been a faculty member at Simón Bolívar University and joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Pennsylvania State University as Associate Professor in July 2006. She won the 1999 Award for Outstanding Teaching Achievement (at the Assistant Professor level) at Simon Bolivar University, as well as several other awards from the Venezuelan's National Committees from the Development of Higher Education and for the Academic Advancement. She has several international collaborations and has presented the results of her research globally in more than 65 national and international conferences. She has published over 35 papers (including conference proceedings).

Research Interests:

Improvement of polymer-based processes by gaining a fundamental understanding of polymeric materials
Human pathology associated with a number of diseases
Behavior of materials under conditions of extreme temperature and pressure
Fusion of materials and computational sciences
Materials theory, modeling and computer simulation

Areas of Research:

Professor Colina utilizes the fusion of materials and computational sciences to obtain solutions to problems that were previously intractable. This fusion creates the opportunity to engineer materials for applications to separations, sensors, microelectronics, drug delivery, and biomaterials. Her group uses materials theory, modeling and computer simulation, with methods ranging from molecular-based equations of state, with a rigorous statistical mechanics basis, to high-performance computer modeling. Her group also has a synergetic relationship with experimentalists, and several national and international collaborative programs, such as: The University of Manchester and Cardiff University, U.K. Professor Colina’s current areas of research fall into three areas. The first area aims for understanding the structure of nanoporous polymers (NPs) for use in applications that exploit their surface chemistry that can range from catalysis, sensors and gas storage to separations. The second area is the improvement of polymer-based processes by gaining a fundamental understanding of polymeric materials. She is developing new methodologies for predicting the effect of specific interactions (self and cross-association) of polymeric materials and their environment. The third area is certain aspects of human pathology associated with a number of diseases, such as hemophilia B and von Willebrand disease. She is studying the growth and dynamics of macromolecular aggregates when proteins dock in a highly orientated manner. Her research interests in this area span a wide range of applications, from structural biochemistry to biosensors.

Technology Impacted By Research:

- Emulsions
- Latexes and suspensions
- Environmentally-friendly polymeric surfactants
- Targeting and releasing drugs
- Biomedical applications

Journal Articles and Publications:

1. Castro-Marcano, F., Olivera-Fuentes, C. and C. M. Colina, “Joule-Thomson Inversion Curves aand Third Virial Coefficients for Pure Fluids from Molecular-Based Models,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 47 (22), 8894–8905 (2008).
2. Hoffman, M., Colina, C. M., Harger, A. G., Arepally, G., Pedersen, L. and D. M. Monroe, “Tissue Factor Around Dermal Vessels has Bound Factor VII(a) in the Absence of Injury,” Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 5 (7),1403-1408 (2007).
3. Colina, C. M., Venkateswarlu, D., Duke, R., Perera, L. and L. G. Pedersen, “What Causes the Enhancement of Activity of FVIIa by Tissue factor?,” Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 4 (12), 2726-2729 (2006).
4. Colina, C. M. and K. E. Gubbins, “Vapor-Liquid-Liquid Equilibria of n-Perfluoroalkanes/Carbon Dioxide/n-Alkanes Ternary Mixtures,” J. Phys. Chem. B. 109, 2899-2910 (2005).
5. Walker, T. A., Colina, C. M., Gubbins, K. E. and R. J. Spontak, “Thermodynamics of Poly(dimethylsiloxane)/Poly(ethylmethylsiloxane) (PDMS/PEMS) Blends in the Presence of High-Pressure CO2,” Macromolecules, 37, 2588-2595 (2004).

Colina

Ralph Colby

Ralph H. Colby
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering
309 Steidle Building
(814) 863-3457
colby@matse.psu.edu
http://felix.metsce.psu.edu/Colby/index.html

Biographical Sketch:

Ralph H. Colby received his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University in 1979. After working for two years at the General Electric Company in rheology research and process development, he attended graduate school at Northwestern University, where he received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 1983 and 1985. Graduate research focused on rheology of linear polybutadiene melts and solutions, and included 15 months as a visiting scholar in the Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Corporate Research - Science Laboratories. He then worked for ten years at the Eastman Kodak Company in their Corporate Research Laboratories. Rheology research areas over these ten years included linear polymer melts and solutions, miscible polymer blends, block copolymers, randomly branched polymers, polymer gels, liquid crystalline polymers, polyelectrolytes, proteins, surfactants and colloidal suspensions. In 1995, Dr. Colby was hired as Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University and was promoted to Professor in 2000. He teaches an undergraduate course on Polymer Processing and a graduate course on Polymer Physics. Dr. Colby has over 130 publications and published a textbook Polymer Physics in 2003.

Research Interests:

Proteins
Polyelectrolytes
Ionomers
Liquid crystalline polymers
Block copolymers
Miscible polymer blends
Branched polymers
Networks
Glass-forming liquids
Surfactants and colloidal suspensions

Areas of Research:

Professor Colby’s research group is interested in a molecular-level understanding of dynamics in interesting liquids. Polymer liquids are good examples because they are viscoelastic: While polymer liquids do flow, they have considerable elastic character. Other examples include many “complex fluids” such as liquid crystals and surfactants. The Colby group measures the dynamics of these liquids using mechanical rheology and dielectric spectroscopy and also characterizes the liquid structure using neutron and x-ray scattering and optical methods. This is classical materials science research on structure-property relations but at the same time is highly innovative because it is applied to the liquid state! One nice example is the study of ion transport in ionomer membranes. Ionomers are polymers with one type of ion covalently bonded to the chain and are ‘single-ion conductors’ in that only the unattached counterions can move rapidly in response to an applied electric field. Designing ionomers for facile ion transport is challenging and the Colby group is attacking this problem with ab initio calculations of ion interactions that guides our synthesis of new ionomers. We use small-angle X-ray scattering (picture above), mechanical rheology and dielectric spectroscopy to understand what the ions are doing in these new ionomers. We quantify the temperature dependences of the fraction of ions in ion pairs, conducting triple ions and quadrupoles, for different ionomers with various counterions (figure below). There are a great many interesting liquids known in the world today and more are being discovered every day. The Colby group’s mission is to understand in detail the structure-property relations of all interesting liquids. This is a great challenge and as such, only the best highly motivated students are able to participate in this exciting mission.

Technology Impacted By Research:

Polymer dynamics, characterized by rheology, plays a vital role in solution and melt processing of polymers. Ion-containing polymers are a poorly understood class of materials that are potentially very important for actuators, sensors, separators between the electrodes of advanced batteries and fuel cell membranes.

Journal Articles and Publications:

D. Fragiadakis, S. Dou, R. H. Colby and J. Runt, Molecular Mobility and Li+ Conduction in Polyester Ionomers based on Poly(ethylene oxide), J. Chem. Phys. 130, 064907 (2009).
R. H. Colby, Polyelectrolyte Gels: Ionic Partners Split Up, Nature Materials 6, 401 (2007).
S. Dou, S. Zhang, R. J. Klein, J. Runt and R. H. Colby, Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(ethylene glycol)-based Single-Ion Conductors, Chem. Mater. 18, 4288 (2006).
F. Bordi, C. Cametti and R. H. Colby, Dielectric Spectroscopy and Conductivity of Polyelectrolyte Solutions, J. Phys.: Condens. Matt. 16, R1423 (2004).
A. V. Dobrynin, R. H. Colby and M. Rubinstein, Polyampholytes, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Phys. 42, 3513 (2004).

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