Research opportunities polymers

Our group was the first to report imaging with a diamond ATR accessory that provided a field of view of ca. 1 mm2 and the spatial resolution of ca. 15 pm without the use of an infrared microscope [18], The demonstration of the applicability of a diamond ATR accessory for FTIR imaging opened up a range of new opportunities in polymer research, from compaction of tablets [21-23] to studying phase separation in polymer blends subjected to supercritical fluids [24], This imaging approach was successfully utilised for the study of dissolution of tablets in aqueous solutions [25], We have also demonstrated macro... 

These two powerful forces—the ongoing electronic and photonic revolution, and the significant potential of polymers to contribute to the materials needs of that revolution—continue to stimulate chemists to explore the fundamental, chemically related principles underlying these technologies. Heightened awareness of research opportunities in these areas can in turn lead to further advances. 

The story of superconductivity in metallic polymers has not yet begun. If and when superconductivity is discovered in this class of materials, that discovery will create a new research opportunity that is both exciting and potentially important. 

Unless materials are chemically stable in service environments, their otherwise useful properties (strength, ductility, magnetic and electronic behavior, etc.) may be lost. This section describes research opportunities and needs associated with metastable metallic alloys, metal-matrix composites, electroactive polymers, and high-performance ceramics. 

Research Opportunity New polymers new application methods new inspection methods new coating materials (pigments, inhibitors) improved durability in the face of exposure to ultraviolet radiation... 

Progress in oxidation of polymers may be studied by various means FTIR, DSC, TG, SEC, CL, ESR, MALDI-ToFMS, oxygen uptake, etc. Oxylumines-cence is an effective tool for determining the extent and nature of the oxidation process of polymers at very early stages (not yet detectable by macroscopic measurements) and under conditions similar to those during service. The opportunity to study oxidation quantitatively has stimulated the application of chemiluminescence for evaluation of a broad range of materials. Applications of CL in polymer research are shown in Table 1.28. 

Microfluidics (MF) is a relatively new area of science and technology that offers new research opportunities in synthetic chemistry, including polymerization reactions. This chapter is a useful resource for students, researchers, and industrial scientists who wish to gain insight into practical aspects of polymerization in MF reactors and into new and emerging developments in this field. The chapter reviews (i) practical considerations related to MF polymer synthesis and its benefits over bulk synthesis of polymer products, (ii) important considerations in the utilization of MF for single- and multiphase polymer synthesis, (in) examples of important applications of polymer synthesis in microchannels, and (iv) future trends in MF development that will expand the range of applications of on[Pg.213]

Computer simulations have become an important research tool for determining the properties of polymers. With the advent of fast workstations, many computationally intensive simulations can now be carried out on reasonable time scales. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated the power of simulations to predict polymer properties, especially at interfaces and in solution. Thus, simulation can provide a valuable tool to supplement the ongoing NRL research on the interface between phase-separated domains and would complement current NRL studies in the area of blends and composites. There also exists at NRL considerable expertise in molecular dynamics techniques and other simulation methods. Consequently, a collaboration between the two groups in this area would provide a rich research opportunity. 

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