One unique characterization technique developed in this laboratory is the simultaneous small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD) method using synchrotron radiation. Synchrotron x-rays are produced by fast moving particles (electrons or positrons) in the national facilities such as nearby National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago. Using these x-ray techniques, and in conjunction with other characterization methods such as thermal analysis, light scattering, Raman spectroscopy, microscopy (optical, atomic force and electron) and rheology,we are currently investigating the following topics: Flow-Induced Crystallization in Polymers, Polymeric Nanocomposites, Noaostructured Polymers for Medical Applications, Advanced Synchrotron X-Ray Study on Polymers.

 

 

1999-present

Biodegradable polymers for medical and biological applications (surgery, drug delivery and tissue engineering).

1998-present

Fundamentals of polymer crystallization, behavior of orientation-induced crystallization.

1997-present

Structure/property/process relationship in nanostructured polymers, elastomers and nanocomposites.

1992-present

In-situ structural studies during processing (spinning, electrospinning, deformation), deformation and flow of polymers; time-resolved synchrotron X-ray studies of polymer crystallization, phase separation; SAXS theoretical development.

1997-1998 

Design, construction and commissioning of the Advanced Polymers PRT (X27C) beamline at the NSLS, Brookhaven National Laboratory. (Stony Brook)

1993-1994

Study of structure, polymerization and processing relationships in fluoropolymers and segmented elastomers. (DuPont)

1991-1997 

Design and construction of a SAXS/WAXD station for polymer research at the undulator Beamline, DND-CAT, APS, Argonne National Laboratory. (DuPont)

1989-1999

Studies of structure/property/processing/relationships in semicrystalline polymers: poly(aryl ether ketones), polyimides, polyamides, polyesters and polyolefins; biodegradable polymers: polylactides, polyglycolides and copolymers; and nanostructured polymers. (DuPont)

1987-1989

Rheo-optical properties of liquid crystalline polymers; advanced scattering techniques (SALS, SANS, SAXS) for polymer science (UMASS)

 1982-1987 

Thermodynamics, phase behavior and rheology thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers under elevated pressures (Ph.D. Thesis).

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