This federal Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) program, totaling $450,000, will fund research at The Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford University) to develop a new class of high energy-density two-way shape memory polymers (2WSMPs). The goal is to advance the state of materials chemistry and polymer science by understanding the mechanisms behind strain-induced nanostructure formation, which can stabilize polymer chain alignment and enable actuation under large loads. The research will integrate synthesis, processing, and advanced characterization to produce 2WSMPs from low-cost, scalable commercial chemicals. The resulting polymers aim to have unprecedented energy densities, high stroke, and minimal cycling hysteresis compared to current shape-actuation materials. This work has potential applications in aerospace, biomedical, and soft robotics fields, while also offering opportunities to train the next generation of materials science and engineering researchers.
Generated 8/13/24, 6:56 AM