Polystyrene Containing no Head to Head Units  Traditional methods for manufacturing polystyrene involve radical coupling of styrene mainchains in a head to head fashion. Importantly, the head to head linker can become thermally unstable as a result of the processing methods that are used in polystyrene derived product manufacturing. The resulting instability produces radical styrene monomers, which have unpleasant characteristics that are not pleasing to consumer senses. This technology provides a new means for generating more thermally stable polystyrene derivatives through the use of a nitroxyl-mediated polymerization reaction. This novel process allows for the development of polymers free of head to head units and have been observed to be more thermally stable than polystyrene developed through traditional methods. |
Polymeric Materials for Controlled Release of NO with Zero Order Profiles This technology offers a means for chemically synthesizing NO time releasing polymers that are insoluble in water. The technology was developed as a means to control the release of NO over a period of thirty days. Evidence of NO release observed in early experiments suggests first order kinetics. Additionally, this synthetic route offers a means for synthesizing new NO releasing polymers that achieve greater efficiency through removal of the BOC protection/ deprotection steps in traditional methods for producing NO releasing compounds. |
Amphiphilic Silver Delivery of Bactericidal Delivery in Coatings  This technology is a method for embedding metals (specifically, silver) into coatings and textiles across a variety of applications. Silver has a variety of uses in pharmaceuticals and has found increasing application as a bactericide and in treatments for conditions ranging from severe burns to Legionnaires Disease. This technology enables textile coatings incorporating the bactericidal properties of silver into diverse range of products such as catheters, stents, implants, hospital garments, free flow filters, mattress covers, carpeting and air filters. |
Center for Product Research and Development This center assists innovators develop concepts into products through access to professional services, prototyping, and manufacturing facilities for facilitating the commercialization support of novel ideas. The Center provides access to computer aided engineering specialists, material and product testing facilities, prototype and manufacturing resources, and assistance in establishing new enterprises. The center can assist with product design, prototype and testing; expanding sponsored research programs; integrating technological innovations into economic-development efforts; offering training and educational programs; and patent processes. |
Thermally Conductive Carbon Resins  Dr. King leads a general focus effort at MTU in the area of thermally conductive resins. Specifically, her effort is focused on adding carbon to a variety of materials which to date have included wood, asphalt, and polymers. (See CTC web page, projects section) In previous years, she has experienced reasonable success in attracting both industrial and public funding for her work from Conoco, Louisiana Pacific and the National Science Foundation. |
Coatings for Carbon Nanotubes Research allows attachment of polymers to carbon nanotubes in a manner that preserves their conductivity and strength while permitting the nanotubes to support sensors. Functional conjugated polymers are designed and synthesized to modify carbon nanotube electrodes via strong pi-pi stacking interaction between the polymers and the nanotubes. Artificial and biological receptors, such as enzyme, antibody, and single strand DNA can be incorporated into the synthetic functional conjugated polymers. Electrochemistry [labeled biosensors] is employed to detect chemical or biological recognition. |
Coatings Research Institute The CRI's two-fold mission is to be a leading academic organization that develops relevant scientific knowledge for understanding and for expanding the science and technology of paints, coatings, inks, adhesives and related nano-based materials. Areas of expertise represented in the CRI include, among others, coating technologies and formulation, polymer modification, cross-linking mechanisms and enabling technologies such as nanotechnology (nanoparticle materials), polymer structure/property relationships, characterization, vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FT-IR), thermal analysis (DSC,DMA,TGA, DEA) and nanotribology. |
National Dendrimer and Nanotechnology Center The National Dendrimer and Nanotechnology Center is the catalyst for dendrimer-based research initiatives. The Center’s current research agenda focuses on several types of dendrimer and nanoscale sciences: Drug encapsulation, release and disease targeting protocols are being established and tested for cancer therapy and anti-flammatory drug systems using a range of dendrimer carrier structures; researching cytotoxicity of dendrimers and other nanoscale structures; the use of dendrimers as a catalyst in the production of carbon nanotubes at the lowest temperatures recorded; the attachment of oligonucleotides to dendrimers for targeting, amplification or detection in biological systems; development of nuclear magnetic reagents which allow higher resolution and site specific targeting to disease or inflammation; stabilization of nano-crystals or quantum dots with unique optical, electronic or other properties for use in bio-labeling, and flat panel display technologies; development of lower-cost synthetic routes to new proprietary dendrimers and dendritic polymers; development of dendrimers as in-vivo nano-diagnostic agents and devices. |
Institute of Materials Processing (IMP) The institute focuses on the extraction, processing, recycling, and utilization of materials and resources. They conduct sponsored technology development, research, problem solving, training, and technology services for MTU, the state of Michigan, other governmental units, and industry. Materials studied include metallics, ceramics, polymers, composites, minerals, and industrial processing wastes. Expertise includes bench-top experimentation through process development, pilot plant scale-up, and commercialization.
Personnel at IMP work closely with faculty members in the academic departments. Since the major focus of the institute, however, is toward accelerating technology transfer into the marketplace, most staff members are full-time, nonteaching research professionals. When necessary, the institute can enter into confidentiality agreements with research sponsors and can undertake both proprietary and classified work. Cooperative development programs with other organizations are also strongly encouraged.
IMP can provide full or partial student support for advanced research in the materials and resource processing areas. |
Optimization of the Conductivity and Transparency of ITO Thin Films This research program is broadly defined as a study of the electrical, optical, chemical and structural characteristics of Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) deposited on Glass and Polymer substrates. Indium Tin Oxide is a transparent, conducting material with a variety of applications in display devices, photovoltaic devices and heat reflecting mirrors. Basic understanding of the material properties from energy band structure calculations, deposition parameters are the key tasks in this research effort. The sheet resistances, optical transmittances and microstructures are determined using four-point probe, spectrophotometer, x-ray diffractometer and transmission electron microscope. |
Plasma Deposition for Coating Applications Plasma deposition may be used to apply coatings for a wide range of applications. However, the complexity of the process has led to primarily empirical advances in system design and coating development. The goal of this research program is to develop a more fundamental understanding of processing- structure-property relationships in plasma sprayed coatings and splats (the `building blocks' of coatings). These studies should lead to more rapid coating development and to the tailoring of coating characteristics. Systematic variations in plasma temperature and velocity as well as the powder particle size are used to assess their influence on splat and coating structure and properties. |
Recovery of Polystyrene in Lost Foam This technology emerged from a research program initiated to assist the metal casting industry in prevention of polymer waste disposal, and to promote engineering solutions leading to reuse of the polymer. Our research strategy was based the principles of modern mineral processing technology to polymer recovery. The program includes particulate characterization, examination of surface-interfacial properties of the pattern components, development of an analytical technique for contaminant concentration measurements, shredding and size reduction, and selective separation testing based on component density. Our results indicate that as high as 98% of the polystyrene can be recovered, while the level of coating contaminants did not exceed 5 wt% in the final product, after using the developed technology. |
Biomaterials synthesis with medical applications Hydrophilic polymers, specifically polysaccharides, are being examined because of their non-adhesive properties. These polymers are synthesized via enzymatic polymerization without toxic solvents or chemicals. Polysaccharide-based materials are used for the development of an improved, artificial, biodegradable skin scaffold for burn victims. Also in development is an anti-thrombogenic coating for artificial heart valves. The coating is being enzymatically synthesized under non-toxic conditions with various copolymers and polymer structures being tested. |
Materials Processing, Prototyping and Recycling This research program is focused on the processing, prototyping and recycling of plastics and composite materials. Recent focus has been on the effects of flatwise tensile strength and shear strength when using recycled epoxy/fiberglass composite powder as a filler material in fiberglass and foam core sandwich panels. Additional work has been devoted to an alternative mechanical peel testing method for composite fiberglass foam core sandwiches. |
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