Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Queen's University
$54,000.00
Design and synthesis of functional polymer colloids
FY 2010-11
Summary
Scientific and technological progress in several fields, including surface coatings, nanotechnology, microelectronics and the health sciences, is increasingly dependent on discovering innovative routes to making advanced materials. Being able to produce these materials with minimal environmental impact is an important consideration, from both societal and economic perspectives. This research involves the design of polymer colloids (nano-size polymer particles dispersed in water) with carefully controlled microstructure that makes them suitable as building blocks for advanced materials. Microstructure refers to the manner in which atoms are arranged within larger molecules. Improved control of a material's microstructure allows the material scientist or engineer to custom tailor the material properties for specific applications to deliver enhanced performance. Part of the research will seek to develop a process for making polymer colloids using a type of chemistry (ROMP, or Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization) not currently common in water-based dispersions. This will allow us to greatly expand the range of polymers that can be made into nanoparticle form in water-based dispersions. Another phase of the research involves making stimuli-responsive, or ""smart"", polymer colloids that could form coatings capable of responding to mechanical stresses by changing colour. Such a coating could provide a visual indication when a part or component of a structure has experienced a severe impact or stress. The final part of the research involves using an innovative chemistry known as ""Controlled Radical Polymerization"" to design polymer particles in which the molecular properties can be controlled and tailored to a much greater degree than is possible using current technology, using an environmentally-friendly, solvent-free process. This could lead to new, advanced products and improve existing products for a variety of applications, including established industries such as coatings, paints and adhesives but also in emerging industries.
Program
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
194101-2010
Name nom
Cunningham, Michael
Department département
Chemical Engineering
Organization id
29
Institution établissement
Queen's University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2010
Competition year année de concours
2010
Award amount
54000
Program id
RGPIN
Program name en
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Program name fr
Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1511
Committee name en
Materials and Chemical Engineering
Committee name fr
Génie chimique et des matériaux
Area of application code
508
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Polymers, rubber and plastics
Area of application fr
Polymères, caoutchouc et plastiques
Research subject code
1800
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Chemical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie chimique
Partie
1
Nb partie
5
Application title
Design and synthesis of functional polymer colloids
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Scientific and technological progress in several fields, including surface coatings, nanotechnology, microelectronics and the health sciences, is increasingly dependent on discovering innovative routes to making advanced materials. Being able to produce these materials with minimal environmental impact is an important consideration, from both societal and economic perspectives. This research involves the design of polymer colloids (nano-size polymer particles dispersed in water) with carefully controlled microstructure that makes them suitable as building blocks for advanced materials. Microstructure refers to the manner in which atoms are arranged within larger molecules. Improved control of a material's microstructure allows the material scientist or engineer to custom tailor the material properties for specific applications to deliver enhanced performance. Part of the research will seek to develop a process for making polymer colloids using a type of chemistry (ROMP, or Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization) not currently common in water-based dispersions. This will allow us to greatly expand the range of polymers that can be made into nanoparticle form in water-based dispersions. Another phase of the research involves making stimuli-responsive, or ""smart"", polymer colloids that could form coatings capable of responding to mechanical stresses by changing colour. Such a coating could provide a visual indication when a part or component of a structure has experienced a severe impact or stress. The final part of the research involves using an innovative chemistry known as ""Controlled Radical Polymerization"" to design polymer particles in which the molecular properties can be controlled and tailored to a much greater degree than is possible using current technology, using an environmentally-friendly, solvent-free process. This could lead to new, advanced products and improve existing products for a variety of applications, including established industries such as coatings, paints and adhesives but also in emerging industries.
