Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation awarded a CAREER (Faculty Early Career Development Program) grant of $569,573 to The Research Foundation for the State University of New York at Binghamton, with an award date of April 1, 2026 and completion date of March 31, 2031. Under the NSF Engineering program (CFDA 47.041), this project grant funds research to advance the predictive design of polymer materials by developing multiscale modeling frameworks and physics-informed machine learning models that elucidate how molecular entanglements govern mechanical performance in highly entangled polymers.

The primary deliverables include a comprehensive multiscale mechanics framework linking molecular-scale polymer physics to emergent macroscopic mechanical properties, along with interpretable machine learning models that predict polymer gel performance based on synthesis parameters. The research directly addresses gaps in understanding how entanglements enhance stiffness, strength, and toughness—properties critical for applications in industrial elastomers, adhesives, biomedical implants, and soft robotic systems. In parallel, the award supports educational initiatives that integrate mechanics, materials science, and machine learning instruction, emphasizing model interpretability and hands-on demonstrations to enhance workforce preparedness in these interdisciplinary domains.