This $235,017 federal Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) supports fundamental research into a new class of soft polymeric materials designed to function in salty fluid environments. The research project at Cornell University aims to investigate the influence of molecular-scale design on the mechanical properties of these "zippers" - materials with a novel zipper-like molecular topology decorated with tethered cationic and aromatic groups. The research will utilize synthetic, experimental, and modeling approaches to study the equilibrium structures, time-dependent mechanical response, and potential for salt-driven shape-morphing capabilities of these dynamic, responsive soft materials. The goal is to provide fundamental knowledge to enable the development of adhesives, desalination components, and soft robotic structures that can strengthen or respond to specific salt species in challenging fluid environments like seawater. The award also supports the interdisciplinary education of students in mechanical engineering and chemical sciences. This grant runs from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027.
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