Research Interests
Rheology and processing of complex fluids, including liquid
crystals, blends, and emulsions; Inorganic-organic hybrid
materials incorporating POSS or by biocatalyzed
mineralization in nanostructured hosts; Shape memory
polymers for medical applications; Electrospinning of
nanometer-scale fibers; Nanoscale processing of multilayered
polyelectrolytes.
Overview of Research
The Mather Research Group transferred to Case Western
Reserve University in Fall 2004. We focus on polymeric
materials science, with equal attention being given to
structural and functional polymers. Toward this end, a team
has been established with widely varied capabilities to
study and develop such systems, including synthesis,
processing, and characterization of novel polymeric
materials. In the area of structural materials, we are
elaborating unique approaches, including new liquid
crystalline thermosets, hybrid inorganic-organic (POSS)
polymers, and nanocomposites based on electrospun fibers.
For functional polymers, we focus on shape memory polymers
and microfluidic devices. For both classes of materials
(structural and functional), we continually strive to relate
the macroscopic response and properties to molecular and
microstructural organization and dynamics, using existing
and newly developed tools. Significant collaborations in
several of these areas have been developed with polymer
chemists, physicists, and engineers. Unique to our group is
a laboratory dedicated to microrheology with three types of
microrheometers, two polarizing optical microscopes,
retardance imaging capability, and small angle light
scattering. New research endeavors include a strong emphasis
on biomedical materials, particularly dental composites and
surgical devices.
Current Activity
- Shape memory polymers for medical devices (Boston
Scientific)
- Liquid crystalline polymers and elastomers (NSF)
- POSS-Based Inorganic-Organic Hybrids (AFRL/PRSM,
Foster-Miller, Inc.)
- Hyperbranched Polymer Blends (AFOSR)
- Nanoprocessing of Polymers: Electrospinning and
Layer-by-Layer Processing
Recent Publications
“Synthesis and Characterization of Unsaturated Thermotropic
Polyesters Prepared via Acyclic Diene Metathesis
Polymerization (ADMET),” H. Qin, B.J. Chakulski, I.A.
Rousseau, J. Chen, X.-Q. Xie, P.T. Mather, G.S. Constable,
and E.B. Coughlin, Macromolecules 37, n14,
5239-5249 (2004).
“Crystallization of POSS in a PEG-based Multiblock
Polyurethane Architecture: Toward a Hybrid Hydrogel,” J. Wu,
Q. Ge, K.A. Burke, and P.T. Mather,
Mater. Res. Soc. Proc.
847 EE10.2-6 (2004).
“Optically Transparent and Highly Oriented Polyethylene
Terephthalate Compactions,” P. Rojanapitayakorn, PTM, R.A.
Weiss, A.J. Goldberg, Polymer 46 (3) 761-773
(2005).
“Tailored Phase Transitions via Mixed-Mesogen Liquid
Crystalline Polymers with Silicon-Based Spacers,” I.A.
Rousseau, H. Qin, and P.T. Mather, Macromolecules
38 (10) 4103-4113 (2005).
“Interfacial Tension for a Liquid Crystalline Polymer in an
Isotropic Polymer Matrix,” J. Wu and P.T. Mather,
Macromolecules 38 (17) 7343-7351
(2005).
“Welded Electrochromic Conductive Polymer Nanofibers by
Electrostatic Spinning,” S.-Y. Jang, V. Seshadri,
M.-S. Khil, A. Kumar, M. Marquez, P.T. Mather, and G.A.
Sotzing,* Adv. Mater. 17 n18 2177-2180 (2005).
Recent Presentations
H. Qin and P.T. Mather, “Tandem Shape Memory in a Polydomain
Nematic Network,” MRS Fall Meeting, Symposium CC: Liquid
Crystal Materials and Technologies, Boston, MA November
2004.
I.A. Rousseau and P.T. Mather, “When Actuation Meets Liquid
Crystallinity,” MRS Fall Meeting, Symposium CC: Liquid
Crystal Materials and Technologies, Boston, MA November
2004. [IAR won MRS Gold Medal Based on this Work].
C. Liu and P.T. Mather, “A Shape Memory Polymer with
Improved Shape Recovery,” MRS Fall Meeting, Symposium W:
Mechanically Active Materials, Boston, MA November 2004.
J. Wu, Q. Ge, K.A. Burke, and P.T. Mather, “Crystallization
of POSS in a PEG-based Multiblock Polyurethane
Architecture,” MRS Fall Meeting, Symposium EE:
Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Materials, Boston, MA November
2004.
A.E. Senador, Jr., M.T. Shaw, P.T. Mather, and Y. Patil,
“Combinatorial Squeezing Flow Array for Grading of Asphalt,”
76th Annual Meeting of the Society of Rheology, Lubbock, TX,
February, 2005.
J. Wu, Q. Ge, K.A. Burke, and P.T. Mather,
“Rheological Study of the Influence of Shear Flow on
Crystallization of Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) in
PEG-based Multiblock Polyurethanes,” 76th Annual Meeting of
the Society of Rheology, Lubbock, TX, February, 2005.
I.A. Rousseau and P.T. Mather, “Relationship Between Phase
Behavior and Actuation in Smectic Elastomers,” 76th Annual
Meeting of the Society of Rheology, Lubbock, TX, February,
2005.
P.T. Mather, I.A. Rousseau, and Haihu Qin, “Polydomain
Liquid Crystalline Networks as Actuators,” American Physical
Society Annual March Meeting, DPOLY, Los Angeles, CA, March
22, 2005.
Awards
Rogers
Corporation Award for Outstanding Teacher in Chemical
Engineering (UConn). 2003
SPE Medical
Plastics Division, ANTEC 2002 Best Paper Award. 2002
Member of
AFOSR Star Team, “Lightweight Low-Cost Membrane Structures”.
2002
School of
Engineering Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, University of
Connecticut. 2001
NSF CAREER
Award, “Orientational Dynamics in Flows of Thermotropic
Polymers”. 2001-2006 |
