2-D Fibers

2-D Films

Multilayer extrusion: When application needs cannot be met with the use of a single material, multiple materials are employed to provide the necessary requirements. One advanced method to create multilayered materials employs coextrusion technologies. As the number of layers increases and the thickness of each layer decreases, the individual layers often became discontinuous due to flow instabilities. This change in the dominant physics as the thickness decreases is an example of the issues unique to maintaining layer identity and uniformity on the nanoscale. Our researchers have studied bringing two different polymeric streams together and determining the factors that are important in maintaining interfacial control and layer uniformity when the size of the layers approaches the nanoscale.
Applications: Early applications are expected in electronics, shielding and optical materials for the defense or automotive industries by tailoring the individual layers. For example, conductive and non-conductive layers can be used for electrical applications. Toughness can be enhanced by alternating a layer to arrest cracks, with applications in automotive, sporting equipment, or personal protection. Layered materials can be used in barrier applications for homeland defense, chemical protection and food packaging.

Nanomultilayer Co-extrusion: Hundreds of micro or nanoscaled layers are created by conventional coextrusion technology along with layer-multiplying elements. We are investigating the effect of processing on interfacial instabilities.