Soft materials, including polymers and polymer matrix composites, colloidal fluids, and protein based solutions represent an emergent and exciting area of materials technology and economic impact. This opportunity seeks to develop measures of macromolecular shape, size, and miscibility in filled polymer and polymer blends, protein and polymer based solutions, and colloidal fluids. The NIST Polymers Division, in collaboration with the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), have developed a new industrial consortium, “nSoft”, to transfer expertise developed in neutron based characterization of soft materials. The successful applicant can expect to participate in the consortium meetings and collaborations with industrial partners. Proposals are sought that utilize neutron scattering, imaging, and/or spectroscopy to characterize quantities such as molecular shape, branching, aggregation, and the distribution of water across polymeric membranes. Specific targets include (1) advancing the measurement and reliability of neutron measurements of molecular topology and interactions in engineering polymer melts, solutions, and high concentration protein solutions; (2) the development of tools capable of probing the location, concentration, and local dynamics of small molecular additives within semi-crystalline polymer films and polymer-based composites; and (3) the development of measures of water ingress into polymeric and porous materials based on neutron imaging and neutron reflectivity.

 

key words

Soft materials; Polymers; Composites; Protein characterization; Pharmaceuticals; Manufacturing; Neutron scattering; Advanced materials;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants