1. Current members –Jeff Easley, PhD Candidate –Josh Katzenstein, PhD Candidate –Alfredo Clemente Cruz, Masters Candidate –Bobby Sankhagowit, Undergraduate –Amanda Beck, Undergraduate Looking to add 1 or more PhD student Ellison Lab Overview

2. anionic, RAFT, ATRP, NMRP, new functional monomers 1 Å – 100’s nm monomer macromolecular bulk shear and extensional flows electric and magnetic fields mechanical electromagnetic conductive thermal barrier Synthesis StructureProcessingProperties Ellison Research Overview Our research theme is connecting nanoscale / molecular level detail to macroscopic function for designing next generation materials.

3. Nanostructured Polymers: Technological Impact Asymmetric membranes for gas separation –Koros and Pasek (J. Membr. Sci. 1993) Polysulfone (Udel) skin layers 20-80 nm thick Photoresist, production of microelectronics –Okoroanyanwu (J. Vac. Sci. Tech. B 2000) Understanding properties of polymer confined to feature sizes < 100 nm needed for future devices Nanocomposites –Vaia and Giannelis (MRS Bulletin 2001) Low loading levels (~several vol%), all polymer lies < 100 nm from composite interface Hinsberg, et al. IBM J. Vac. Sci. Tech. B 1998 Li, et al. J. Membr. Sci. 2002

4. Ellison Lab: “Active” Projects New “Designer” Materials – molecular design via synthesis for tailored properties (responsive, conductive, mechanical, separations, etc)  Project 1: Directing Nanoscale Fillers for Recyclable Barrier Materials, Nanocomposite Solar Cells, etc. Novel Characterization Tech. – attaining critical pieces of information others cannot using fluorescence approaches (focused on surfaces and interfaces and in-situ)  Project 2: Understanding the “Interphase” in Nanocomposites, Polymer Self-Diffusion in Thin Films “Green” Polymer Strategies – processing in the absence of volatile solvents, additives, etc., renewable materials  Project 3: “Green” Processing Route to Polymer Nanofibers, Designer Materials from Renewable Resources, etc.

5. Polymer Diffusion Near Surfaces / Interfaces Why is it important? Disk Drive Lubricant Recovery www.phi.com Latex Film Formation http://www.chem.utoronto.ca/staff/MAW/ Nanocomposite Exfoliation

6. Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) Model geometry of thin and ultrathin films: In-plane diffusion –Demonstrated as viable approach, single MW and temp. 1 Start with simple system: anthracene labeled homopolymer Fractional Recovered Fluorescence Intensity characteristic diffusion time t = 0 t = t 1 t = t 2 Photobleaching Recovery 2r i 1 Frank B., et al, Macromolecules 29, 1996.

7. Melt Blowing: Green Polymer Nanofibers T g or T c Processing variables: Polymer and air temperatures (T p, T a ) Polymer and air flow rates Solventless, environmentally benign process Method of choice for many nonwoven products – low cost, high prod. rates Produces microfibers with diameter > 2 μm Fiber formation: Hot air jet draws fiber Active T window: T g or T c < T < T p Compared to electrospinning: Higher production rate No solvent

8. PBT PP PS PBT PP Ellison, Phatak, Giles, Macosko, Bates Polymer 48, 2007.