Professor Michael E. Mackay

Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University
Email: mackay@msu.edu

In my research, I use nanoparticles to manipulate the properties of polymers. We have found that nanoparticles will reduce the viscosity of polymer melts which is an enabling technology for nanocomposites. The final material properties are of interest too and they are enhanced. Nanoparticles are also used to stabilize thin films for use in sensors, optical devices, fuel cells or even adhesives. Finally we use nanoparticles to make the next generation data storage devices similar to the Millipede developed by IBM. Support from the NSF (CTS-0296166, NIRT-0210247), ACS-PRF, Sandia National Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory and Dow Chemical Company is gratefully acknowledged.

Professor David Tomanek

Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics, Michigan State University
Email: tomanek@pa.msu.edu

Drawing on past experience with carbon nanostructures, including fullerenes and nanotubes, computer modeling will be used to study the interaction between nanoparticles and polymers. Ab initio Density Functional calculations will identify optimum bonding sites of specific functional groups, and characterize the bonds in terms of electronic structure as well as stability. In close collaboration with the experiment, predictive calculations will be used to explore ways to chemically modify the bonding sites and cross-linking geometries, to design polymer-based composites with particular mechanical properties.

Dr. Karen L. Wooley

Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis
Email: KLWooley@artsci.wustl.edu

Our research efforts focus upon the development of synthetic methodologies for the preparation of well defined shell crosslinked knedel-like (SCK) polymer nanoparticles.  Through collaborative activities associated with this NIRTeam, we are able to advance procedures for the physical and chemical manipulation/assembly of the SCKs, and to perform rigorous characterization of their properties.

Dr. Craig Hawker

Merck Research Laboratories, Univeristy of California in Santa Barbara
Email: hawker@almaden.ibm.com

The renaissance of research activity in the area of polymer science is a direct result of the central importance of polymers in a wide variety of technology driven applications.  For example, the growing demand for functionalized soft materials with well-defined structures in nanoscale applications has lead to a dramatic increase in the development of procedures that combine architectural control with flexibility in the incorporation of functional groups.  In collaboration with other researchers my group at IBM has developed methods for controlling the length and dispersity of polymer chains through living free radical and living ring opening procedures.
The synthesis and application of 3-dimensional macromolecules with defined size and shape has also attracted significant attention in recent years with further refinement of traditional methods as well as novel strategies for their preparation being developed at IBM in the areas of dendrimers, nanoparticles and other complex macromolecular architectures.  One of the driving forces for this interest has been the realization that functionalized 3-dimensional polymers can be considered as building blocks for a variety of nanotechnological applications, ranging from vectors for drug and DNA delivery systems to various applications in information technology.  This included nanopatterned thin films, templating agents for nanoporous microelectronic materials, and in novel storage concepts such as Millipede.