Molecularly Reinforced Polymers

New nanotechnology initiatives have catapulted nano-materials science to the forefront of research and development in industrial, academic and government labs. While it will be many years before any foreseeable payoffs are realized for new efforts, existing programs have already shown that significant improvements are possible by controlling/understanding the molecular level interactions of polymer systems. For over a decade the Air Force Research Laboratory has invested in both fundamental and applied research of such nanocomposite materials (POSS nanotechnology and clay nanocomposites) and how molecular reinforcement occurs through the addition of inorganic particles, whether blended, grafted, or copolymerized. This talk will broadly cover both nanocomposite materials and commercialization efforts, as well as a focused discussion on recent breakthroughs in POSS nanotechnology for controlling polymer property enhancements. Presented at Int'l Symposium on Nanocomposites held in Chicago, IL on 25-27 Jun 2001. Prepared in cooperation with Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI.