Webinar

Hierarchical Materials Through 3D Printing and Molecular Design

Prof. Emily Davidson

Chemical and Biological Engineering 

Princeton University

Wednesday, April 22,   Webinar at 5:30 PM Pacific time

Abstract

Nature creates remarkable material by controlling the hierarchical assembly of molecules that are broken down at the end of their useful life. Inspired by natural systems, my group’s research combines molecular design with directed assembly via extrusion-based 3D printing to program the structure and function of polymer-based materials across length scales. First, I will describe how in both liquid crystalline polymers and block copolymers we can control the extent of nanostructure alignment and functional anisotropy via the flow history the material undergoes during 3DP. By tailoring flow history and microstructural layout, we are able to encode ‘multiple properties’ in structures composed of a single material. I will also discuss our contributions to developing liquid crystal elastomers with tailored network structures that allow us to probe the interplay of network structure with liquid crystalline phase transitions.

Speaker Background

Emily Davidson is an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University. She leads a research group that works at the intersection of polymer synthesis, polymer physics, self-assembly, and additive manufacturing to develop hierarchically defined functional materials. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from MIT, her PhD from UC Berkeley, and performed postdoctoral research at Harvard University. She has been recognized with a 2019 Scientista 'Young Professional' Award, a 2022 DOE Early Career award, and the 2023 Princeton School of Engineering Alfred Rheinstein Faculty Award.

Registration deadline: Tuesday, April 21, 1:00 PM.

Registration may close earlier than the nominal deadline if capacity is reached.

This event will be FREE OF CHARGE, but we still require you to fill out the registration form. In particular, we need to have your name and email address for you to be able to participate. Please provide affiliation also if you can, as it helps us judge audience interests.

If you can spare a small amount, GGPF requests an optional donation of $5 (or more) but this is not required to register and attend the webinar.

To register for free, use the pull-down toggle to select "All registrants ($0.00)" choice.

To donate, use the pull down toggle to select "GGPF donation ($5.00)". This will direct you to a secure link where you can use PayPal or any credit or debit card. For larger donations, use the "Donate to GGPF" link on the front page GGPF.org

Webinar Timing: 5:30 PM.

(Zoom meeting room will open earlier)

Attendees who complete the registration form will receive information by email for how to participate. It is requested that people join the meeting invitation well before 5:30 PM to avoid delays.

Registrants will receive the information needed to join the webinar within a day of the event in an email from “events@ggpf.ccsend.com”. To be certain of seeing the note, please add events@ggpf.ccsend.com to your safe mail senders list, and/or look in your spam, updates, or other mailbox locations in addition to your primary In Box.

Please register on the web page.

You should receive email confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.

Do not reply to email from events@ggpf.ccsend.com

For questions or other assistance, contact:

Clayton Henderson

macro2nano@verizon.net

Attendees will be added to the GGPF email announcements list unless they request otherwise.

Webinar

Uncommon Material Combinations & Processing Methods for Improved Performance & New Applications of Common Polymers

Prof. Gary E. Wnek

Department Chair

Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering

Case Western Reserve University

Monday, May 18,   Webinar at 6:00 PM Pacific time

Abstract

There is a significant need to add value to existing high-volume polymeric materials, from commodity polyolefins through engineering plastics and elastomers. Of particular interest are approaches that are scalable, scrapless, and solvent-free. We will discuss two initiatives that attempt to address these important needs: (1) cold-rolling, well-known in the ductile metals industry but less appreciated for the processing of semi-crystalline plastics, and (2) fiber production via a unique variant of multi-layer co-extrusion. Cold-rolling has been shown to increase the toughness of the engineering thermoplastic poly(p-phenylene sulfide) and the biodegradable polyester poly(l-lactic acid) without the aid of toughening agents, and is being explored to improve the mechanical properties of otherwise incompatible polymer blends such as HDPE/PP. Fiber fabrication of incompatible HDPE/PP blends via co-extrusion has been studied, and mechanical properties of blended fibers with those of pure co mponents will be compared. Advantages of both approaches will be discussed. Also, attention has been directed toward application of unvulcanized rubbers, with confinement in layers with thermoplastic elastomers obviating the need for vulcanization. Applications in the area of impact-damping will be discussed.

Speaker Background

Gary Wnek is Joseph F. Toot, Jr., Professor of Engineering and Professor and Chair of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.  Gary’s research interests include fibrous polymers and gels for applications in drug delivery and regenerative medicine, synthetic macromolecular constructs that mimic physiological functions, adding value to common polymers using uncommon processing approaches, and flammability mitigation of common polymers. He has authored or co-authored over 215 publications and holds 39 US patents.  Gary earned his Ph.D. In Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and his B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2024.

Registration deadline: Sunday, May 17, 1:00 PM.

Registration may close earlier than the nominal deadline if capacity is reached.

This event will be FREE OF CHARGE, but we still require you to fill out the registration form. In particular, we need to have your name and email address for you to be able to participate. Please provide affiliation also if you can, as it helps us judge audience interests.

If you can spare a small amount, GGPF requests an optional donation of $5 (or more) but this is not required to register and attend the webinar.

To register for free, use the pull-down toggle to select "All registrants ($0.00)" choice.

To donate, use the pull down toggle to select "GGPF donation ($5.00)". This will direct you to a secure link where you can use PayPal or any credit or debit card. For larger donations, use the "Donate to GGPF" link on the front page GGPF.org

Webinar Timing: 6:00 PM.

(Zoom meeting room will open earlier)

Attendees who complete the registration form will receive information by email for how to participate. It is requested that people join the meeting invitation well before 6:00 PM to avoid delays.

Registrants will receive the information needed to join the webinar within a day of the event in an email from “events@ggpf.ccsend.com”. To be certain of seeing the note, please add events@ggpf.ccsend.com to your safe mail senders list, and/or look in your spam, updates, or other mailbox locations in addition to your primary In Box.

Please register on the web page.

You should receive email confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.

Do not reply to email from events@ggpf.ccsend.com

For questions or other assistance, contact:

Clayton Henderson

macro2nano@verizon.net

Attendees will be added to the GGPF email announcements list unless they request otherwise.