Lisa Mauck Weiland

 

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

635 Benedum Hall

412-624-9031, 4846(fax)

lweiland@engr.pitt.edu

http://www.engr.pitt.edu/materials/people/facstaff/weiland_lisa.html

 

 

Ionic polymers (IPs) have recently received widespread attention for their application in fuel cell vehicles. However, a fundamental understanding of IP mechanical properties is needed before reliable application may be realized. Weiland’s group is developing and experimentally validating an IP multiscale modeling method to first predict mechanical properties of known systems, but ultimately for use as a virtual material design tool. The approach is based on Rotational Isomeric State theory at the nano-length scale while classic micromechanics strategies are employed for volume averaging predictions to the macro length scale. Experimental validation includes morphology studies using Atomic Force Microscopy performed in cooperation with Oak Ridge National Laboratories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ionic Polymer Cluster Morphology: Hydrophilic clusters contain water, counterions (-), and terminal ionic groups (+) which are covalently bonded to a hydrophobic backbone. Idealized, uniform cluster spacing is illustrated. Counterion and water transport occurs through ion channels. Typical spacing d is on the order of 5 nm.