Research

The project entitled Multifunctional Materials For Naval Structures” is initiated and coordinated by Pittsburg State University (PSU) in partnership with University of New Orleans (UNO), Northrop Grumman Shipyard, New Orleans, LA, North Carolina A & T University, and several Kansas companies such as KASA Industrial Controls, Inc, Cobalt Boats, Kustom Signals Inc., Charloma Inc, Able Manufacturing & Assembly, JNR Inc., KS, etc., requests multi-year funding from the Department of Defense (DoD) in the amount of $1.6 million per year. This interdisciplinary project comprised of faculty and personnel from several departments and colleges at PSU, provides a critically needed mechanism for expertly coordinated efforts of basic, applied and innovative research in the general areas of nanocomposites and multifunctional materials for naval structures and homeland security. Specifically, activities of this project and the proposed center for nanocomposites and multifunctional materials (CNCMM) is in five focus areas: fundamental and applied research on radar transparent, flame retardant, corrosion resistant, impact resistant, and self-repairing advanced structural materials; nano-engineered sensors and innovative sensor technology; database development for nanocomposites and multifunctional materials; service as clearinghouse for academia-government-industry linkage and exchange of information on new technologies resulting from center’s activities; and facilitation of a modern workforce and new industries via technology transfer. CNCMM provides a viable means of enhancing Kansas relatively new nanocomposites industry by establishing an excellent research and education center for nanocomposites and multifunctional materials with focus on naval structures and homeland security issues. It will have a significant impact on Kansas’ economy mainly through its collaborations and partnerships with companies in Kansas or companies that have affiliations in Kansas, and also through its undergraduate/graduate nanocomposites educational and training initiatives.

The activities of the Multifunctional Materials For Naval Structures project and  the proposed Center for Nanocomposites and Multifunctional Materials (CNCMM) is in five focus areas:

1. fundamental and applied research on radar transparent, flame retardant, corrosion resistant, impact resistant, and self-repairing advanced structural materials,
2. nano-engineered sensors and innovative sensor technology,
3. database development for nanocomposites and multifunctional materials,
4. service as clearinghouse for academia-government-industry linkage and exchange of information on new technologies resulting from center’s activities, and
5. facilitation of a modern workforce and new industries via technology transfer.

Developments and innovations in these five focus areas are of vital importance to the shipbuilding, national defense, homeland security and Kansas industries.  Research in these focus areas have high priority support by various funding agencies within ONR (Office of Naval Research). For example, some of the strategic thrusts of ONR's Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD) include marine composites and sandwich structures, impact damage and dynamic failure modes, joints and durability etc. This trend is also true for other funding agencies including the DOE and NSF.

Links to Research Topics

• Topic 1: Nanoparticles-Enhanced Composites (PSU-UNO)
• Topic 2: Impact, Blast Resistance of Composite Materials Structures (PSU-UNO-NCAT)
• Topic 3: Thermo-Mechanical Behavior of Thick Composite Sandwiched Structures Under Localized Heating (PSU-UNO)
• Topic 4: Joining of Composite Structures (PSU-UNO-NGSS)
• Topic 5: Development of a Graduate Materials Science and Technology Program at Pittsburg State University (PSU)
• Topic 6: Workforce, Economic Development and Outreach Programs in Kansas and Nationwide

References

 1. Fangling Gong, Meng Feng, Chungui Zhao, Shimin Zhang, Mingshu Yang, “Particle Configuration and Mechanical Properties of Poly(vinylchloride)/ Montmorillonite Nanocomposites via In Situ Suspension Polymerization,Polymer Testing 23 (2004) 847–853]

2. Ibeh, C., Meier, A., Bender, J., Wonderly, E., Susnik, R., Phenolic Nanocomposites, International Conference on Composites/Nano Engineering (ICCE-11) Proceedings, Hilton-Head, SC, August 08, 14, 2004.

3. Sun, C.T. Nanoclay-Enhanced Fiber Composites." Proceedings of ONR Solid Mechanics Program. Marine Composites and Sandwich Structures.Conference, March 24, 26, 2004, Edited by Rajapakse, Y. D. ,Pages 2-9. 

4. Bonnaud, L, and K.T. Gam. Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy-Clay Nanocomposites, Society of Plastics Engineers, Technical Papers. Polymer Technology Center, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, Volume II, 2001, Pages 2176-2178.

5. Composite Materials Handbook. http://mil-17.udel.edu/  July 12, 2003.

6. Ibeh, C. C. Fracture Mechanics Module. http://www.geocities.com/etech880/ July 10, 2003.

7. E 1820.Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture Toughness Annual Book of ASTM Standards.  West Conshohocken, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1999.

8. E 399. Standard Test Method for Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness of Metallic Materials Annual Book of ASTM Standards. West Conshohocken, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1997.

9. http://www.swri.edu/3pubs/brochure/doi/

10. http://www.uclan.ac.uk/facs/destech/

11. http://www.wpi.academics/

12. http:///.www.ul.com/fire/cone.html 

13. Hui, D., Kwon, S., Argueso, M.,  Dutta, P., Durell, D., Kim, Y. Experimental  Results of Shipboard Thick Composite Structures From Thermomechanical Stresses of Fir International Conference on Composite/Nano Engineering (ICCE-8) , Tenerife Island, Spain, August 5, 11, 2001.

14. Ibeh, C. C., Donovan, M., Hensley, O., Otter, J., Assessment By Design: The Satisfaction Index, American Society for Engineering Education-Midwest Regional Conference Proceedings, September 29. October 1, 2004, Pittsburg State University, KS.