| |
|
 |
James Runt
Professor
of Polymer Science
108 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 and holds a courtesy appointment with Penn State's Bioengineering Department. Dr. Runt is the author of ~160 peere-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 test: Dielectric Spectroscopy of Polymeric Materials: Fundamentals and Applications. 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 block copolymers
• Crystalline polymers
• H-bonded polymer blends and solutions
• Polymers from renewable resources
• Nanoscale structure and morphology |
|
Areas
of Research: Our group’s research
is focused on three principle areas:
1) Ion and polymer dynamics + structure
of ‘single
ion’ conductors and more conventional ion-containing
polymer systems. The principle techniques used in these
investigations are broadband dielectric (= impedance) spectroscopy
and X-ray scattering. We are also investigating segmental
and local dynamics of polymer blends and solutions exhibiting
inter- and intramolecular H-bonding, as well as blends
containing crystalline polymers.
2) Crystalline polymers derived from renewable agricultural
resources. Recent research has focused on the investigation
of self-assembly of linear polysaccharides from aqueous
solution. We have recently begun a new program on fundamentals
of ion conductivity in similar biopolymers. Of continuing
interest is the role of defective stereoisomers on crystallization,
morphology, and dynamics of polylactic acid copolymers.
3) Polyurethane 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 biostability.
Chemistries have been chosen to reflect those of interest
as blood-contacting biomaterials. |
Technologies
impacted by research:
High performance polymers; Polymers
in energy applications; Polymer blends/alloys; Polyurethanes;
Blood-contacting polymers in biomedical devices; Li ion
battery electrolytes; Polymers in electromechanical applications
|
|
Journal
Articles and Publications:
1. Molecular Mobility, Ion Mobility and Mobile Ion Concentration in Poly (ethyleneoxide)-Based Polyurethane Ionomers, D. Fragiadakis, S. Dou, R.H. Colby, and J. Runt Macromolecules 2008.
2. Microstructural Organization Of Three Phase Polydimethylsiloxane-Based
Segmented Polyurethanes, R. Hernandez, J. Weksler, A. Padsalgikar
and J. Runt, Macromolecules 2007,40.
3. Ion Conduction and Dynamics of Poly (2-vinypyridine) / Lithium Perchlorate Compleses, P. Atorngitjawat and J. Runt, J. Phys. Chem. B 2007, 111, 13483.
4. Counterion
Effects on Ion Mobility and Mobile Ion Concentration of Doped
Polyphosphazenes and Polyphosphazene Ionomers, R.J. Klein,
D.T. Welna, A.L. Weikel, H.R. Allcock and J. Runt, Macromolecules 2007,
40, 3990.
5. Modeling Electrode Polarization in Dielectric
Spectroscopy: Ion Mobility and Mobile Ion Concentration of
Single-Ion Polymer Electrolytes, R.J. Klein, S.H. Zhang, S.
Dou, B.H. Jones, R.H. Colby and J. Runt, J. Chem. Phys. 2006,
124, 144903.
|
