Accession Number:

ADA616244

Title:

Engineering Robust Nanocomposite Networks

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 Sep 2009-31 Aug 2014

Corporate Author:

GEORGETOWN UNIV WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Urbach, Jeffrey S.

Report Date:

2014-12-16

Pagination or Media Count:

16.0

Abstract:

In this grant period we were able to make significant advances in our understanding of a number of issues related to the processing and proper ties of nanocomposite networks. We showed that a non-Brownian suspension of micron scale rods exhibits reversible shear-driven formation of disordered aggregates resulting in dramatic viscosity enhancement at low shear rates. We also developed a new technique, Boundary Stress Microscopy, to quantify the non-uniform surface stresses in sheared collagen gels. In our collaborations with other AFOSR supported research, we were able to show that native silk solutions can for fibers directly as a result of applied shear, that silk e-gels show remarkable elasticity and work hardening, and that the luminous mucous secreted by the marine worm Chaetopterus sp. behaves rheologically as a yield stress gel.

Descriptors:

• *ELASTIC PROPERTIES
• *FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITES
• *GELS
• *NANOSTRUCTURES
• BIOPHYSICS
• COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
• MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
• MICROSCOPY
• MOLECULAR DYNAMICS
• MUCUS
• OPTIMIZATION
• QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
• RHEOMETERS
• SHEAR STRESSES
• VISCOSITY
• WORMS

Subject Categories:

• Biology
• Laminates and Composite Materials
• Mechanics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE