James Runt | Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State

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).