Description:

The Golden Gate Polymer Forum Feb 2007 Dinner Lecture
    Wednesday, Feb. 21
    Michael's Restaurant at Shoreline Park, Mountain View

The GGPF welcomes Prof. Moore to speak for us after attending the Asilomar Conference on Fuel Cells:

"Anisotropic Actuation in Nanostructured Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) Artificial Muscles"                 

                Dr. Robert B. Moore
                Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering
                The University of Southern Mississippi

               Abstract:

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) are a subclass of electro-active polymers bearing surface electrode layers consisting of conductive nanoparticles distributed within an ionic polymer matrix.  With the application of electrical stimulation, ions and solvent molecules are proposed to migrate resulting in pressure gradients that induce an actuation response.  Specifically, IPMCs are known for potential applications as artificial muscles and robotic actuators.  Recently, we have demonstrated that the nanostructured ionic polymer matrix plays an important role in the resulting actuation behavior.  For example, the organization of the ionic domains may be tailored by the application of uniaxial extension during membrane processing to yield fibrilliar morphologies.   In a bio-mimetic fashion, this anisotropic, nano-scale organization of the ionomer membrane may be established in order to generate anisotropic actuation behavior in artificial muscle
applications.  Moreover, these morphological manipulations may be exploited to provide fundamental information related to the actuation mechanism in these stimuli-responsive materials.  Based on fundamental information from neutron imaging experiments, we will
demonstrate that a key contribution to the actuation mechanism in these systems is attributed to a water gradient created along the membrane cross-section in response to the applied electrical stimuli.  Anisotropic actuation in the oriented IPMCs will be discussed in terms of the importance of morphology in the overall behavior of these materials.

       Speaker Background:
Robert B. Moore is a Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi.  He received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Texas A&M University under the direction of Professor Charles R. Martin, followed by a two-year post doctoral research appointment in the Department of Chemistry at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec under the direction of Professor Adi Eisenberg.  He joined the faculty of the Department of Polymer Science at The University of Southern Mississippi in 1991.  Professor Moore’s current research interests include:  nanoscale characterization of morphological and physical property modifications of semicrystalline
polymers via the incorporation of small quantities of ion-containing onomer units; control of morphology-transport property relationships in PEM fuel cell systems via tailored processing procedures and controlled molecular/supramolecular architecture; characterization and control of actuation behavior in nanostructured ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) artificial muscles; the use of small-angle x-ray and neutron scattering methods for the characterization of morphology and dynamics in nanostructured materials; and polymer-based nanocomposites for improved chemical and physical properties.

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PRACTICAL DETAILS

DATE:        Wednesday, Feb. 21

Location:        Michael's Restaurant at Shoreline Park, Mountain View
            See directions below.

Timing:   6 PM  social hour
              7 PM  dinner
              8 PM  lecture

Cost:              $30 with advance registration
                 Half price for students, retired, and unemployed.
                 Free if you attend just the lecture at 8PM.
                          (but please let us know for headcount)
                   $35 after registration deadline, if possible.  

DIRECTIONS to Michael's at Shoreline Park:

Restaurant's web page directions
http://www.michaelsatshoreline.com/location/index.html#directions

From 101 in Mountain View, take the Shoreline Boulevard Exit toward the Bay. Drive past the Shoreline Amphitheater and go straight ahead on Shorelline, entering into Shoreline Park.   After a mile or so inside the park, a sign for Michael's will direct you to turn left into the parking lot for Michael's Restaurant.

Address: 2960 N Shoreline Blvd.
Restaurant phone: 650-962-1014
Do NOT call restaurant for reservations.

PLEASE NOTE:  we accept cash or checks, but are unable to accept payment by credit card at this time.   You may pay at the door.
Deadline for registration:    5 pm Monday, Feb. 19
Please register on the web site
     www.GGPF.org
see detailed registration instructions below

Or, contact:   
           Claudia Allison
        callison@gelpak.com
        510-576-2234

You should receive confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.
PLEASE SPECIFY YOUR DINNER SELECTION, NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS, AND AFFILIATION