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IRG 3

Soft Cellular Materials

mrl_irg3.gifIRG-3 at MRL examines in detail the unique opportunities afforded bulk materials through the addition of nanoparticles. We have shown that the increasing availability of organic and inorganic nanoparticles and structured colloids creates exciting opportunities for new soft cellular materials with unique property combinations at low cost. These include improved electrical or ionic conductivity and thermal/mechanical stability, exceptional barrier properties or chemical resistance, etc. Nanoparticles can be used to statically or dynamically stabilize the cellular fluid precursors and enhance or impart new properties to the material formulation. Development of these materials will require a fundamental, science-based understanding of strategies to control nanoparticle location, structure and dynamics.

Research Fields: