Design, Characterization, and Modeling of Sequence Controlled Polymers

RAP opportunity at National Institute of Standards and Technology     NIST

Design, Characterization, and Modeling of Sequence Controlled Polymers

Location

Material Measurement Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Division

opportunity location
50.64.21.C0200 Gaithersburg, MD

NIST only participates in the February and August reviews.

Advisers
name email phone
Debra J Audus [email protected] 301-975-4364
Kathryn L. Beers [email protected] 202-578-8353
Sara Orski [email protected] 301-975-4671
Description

Development of quantitative structure-property relationships for polymers has been largely limited due to the inability to systematically control polymer sequence especially under real-world conditions where process history, crystallization, and degradation cannot be neglected.  This project seeks to tackle this problem through the rational design of model polymer systems with varying degrees of sequence control, including well-defined, periodic, gradient, and block monomer sequences achieved through controlled polymerization methods.   The polymers will then be subjected to a variety of conditions, such as degradation, and undergo quantitative analysis including rheology, DSC, scattering, etc. Concurrently, computational modeling will be used to predict both structure-property relationships and degradation rates based on the number and distribution of the monomers with the aforementioned analysis serving as validation.  Proposals will focus on either the synthetic or computational approaches to these challenges but should address the integration of synthesis, simulation, and polymer metrology for sequence-controlled polymers. 

key words

polymers; size-exclusion chromatography; polymer synthesis; structure-property relationships; molecular dynamics; rheology; polymer crystallization; neutron scattering; x-ray scattering; quantitative polymer degradation; polymer life cycle analysis

Eligibility

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants

Stipend
Base Stipend Travel Allotment Supplementation
$82,764.00 $3,000.00