| |
|
 |
James Runt
Professor
of Polymer Science
325C 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 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 was an editor of the ACS Professional Reference Series book: Dielectric Spectroscopy of Polymeric Materials: Fundamentals and Applications. He also serves 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:
1) 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.
2) 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.
3) 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. |
Technologies
impacted by research:
Polymers in energy applications; Polyurethanes and polyureas; Blood-contacting polymers in biomedical devices; Li ion battery electrolytes; Ionomers; Polymer blends/alloys; High performance polymers.
|
|
| Journal
Articles and Publications:
1. 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).
2. 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).
3. 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).
4. 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).
5. 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).
|
