Description:

Webinar

Polymer Processing and Property Enhancements via POSS Additives

Prof. Sarah Morgan

University of Southern Mississippi

Bennett Distinguished Professor and Associate Director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering

Wednesday, August 26,   Webinar 6:30 PM Pacific time

Abstract:

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanostructured chemicals are cage-like structures described by the general chemical structure R(SiO_1.5)_n, where n = 8, 10, or 12. Organic substituents are covalently attached to one or more of the cage Si atoms. Depending on the nature of the substituents, the diameter of POSS nanoparticles generally ranges from 1-3 nm. Among other interesting properties, POSS has been demonstrated to reduce viscosity in thermoplastic melts at low loadings without impacting thermal and mechanical properties. The extent of rheological modification appears to be related to the dispersion of POSS within the melt; however, the mechanism underlying this unusual behavior is not well understood. In selected semi-crystalline polymers, POSS has been shown to affect the melt crystallization behavior. It is thought that dispersed POSS molecules create additional surface area for nucleation and growth of crystallites, which increases the rate of crystallization and affects melt processability. High temperature thermoplastics are of interest as recyclable replacements for thermoset polymer matrices in advanced aerospace and engineering composites due to their high use temperature and mechanical strength. However, processing challenges related to their high melt viscosities and processing temperatures limit their adoption, and highlight the need for rheology modification and processing improvements. This talk will focus on our efforts to increase understanding of the molecular-level processes involved in POSS modification of the rheology of thermoplastic melts.

Speaker Background:

Dr. Sarah Morgan is Bennett Distinguished Professor and Associate Director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi. She joined the university in 2003 after a 14-year career at GE Plastics in engineering thermoplastics, where she held technical and managerial positions at GE locations around the world. Morgan’s research is focused on understanding and modification of surfaces and interfaces, involving high performance polymers, composites, nanocomposites, and bioinspired materials. Morgan was named a POLY Fellow by the Polymer Chemistry Division of the ACS in 2016, received the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools Outstanding Mentor 2019 award, was awarded the Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics Prize for 2010, and received The Society of Plastics Engineers Education Award in 2015. She is the Past-Chair of the Polymer Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society and Associate Editor for the Journal of Materials Research.

EVENT DATE: Wednesday, August 26

Registration deadline: Monday, August 24, 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.

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 donate, use the pull down toggle: where it says "choose an option" instead of the "all registrants $0.00" use the toggle to select "GGPF donation $5.00". For larger donations, use the "Donate to GGPF" link on the front page GGPF.org

Webinar Timing: Start Time 6:30 PM. 

(Zoom meeting room will open earlier)

Attendees who complete registration form will receive information by email for how to participate. It is requested that people join the meeting invitation well before 6:30 to avoid delays.

Please register on the web page, www.GGPF.org

Or, if necessary, contact:

Bruce Prime

rbruceprime@gmail.com

408-267-1473

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

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

LOCATION:

Anywhere you want, or anywhere you are busy socially distancing, sheltering in place, working, or waiting it all out. Good luck!