Chemically-Powered Polymer Artificial Muscles

ORAU; Adelphi (MD); Híbrido; USD 60 000 - 85 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory invites applications for a Sensors and Electronics research fellow position focused on chemically powered actuation of polymer artificial muscles (PAMs). The project aims to build a software model predicting swelling characteristics including solvent uptake, oxidation states, moving ions, and electric fields, with validation across multiple polymer forms.

The ARL-RAP program emphasizes collaboration with academia and industry; selected fellows must prepare a

Qualificações

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only.
• Degree: Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral.
• Academic Level: Any.
• Discipline: Chemistry and Materials Sciences (Polymer Chemistry).
• Engineering: Age 18+.

Responsabilidades

• Write a research proposal to submit to the ARL-RAP review panel.
• Collaborate with DEVCOM ARL and university labs on PAM swelling modeling and validation.

Conhecimentos

Polymer chemistry

Materials science

Research proposal writing

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

Descrição da oferta de emprego

About the Research

Chemically powered actuation of polymer artificial muscles (PAMs) is described by the mixing of solvent -- which may include ions -- into a polymer sample on a molecular level. This actuation is a function of polymer-solvent combination and crosslink density (among other parameters), which can be controlled with chemical modification. This goal of this project is to develop a software model to predict swelling characteristics of PAMs, including accounting for solvent uptake, polymer oxidation states, moving ions, electric fields, and stress, and to verify the swelling model via various measurements of the polymers in various forms including bulk, membranes, fibers, fiber mats, and PAMs. Close interaction with ARL's PAM work will be necessary and obligatory. Some of the Fellow's work may be done at Adelphi Laboratory Center; however, the bulk of the work will be done remotely and at the Fellow's university laboratories.

Organization

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

Reference Code

ARL-C-SEDD-300103

Description

ARL Advisor: David Mackie

ARL Advisor Email: [e-mail]

About SEDD

The Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD) is the Army’s principal center for research and development in the exploration and exploitation of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes radio frequency, microwave, millimeter-wave, infrared (IR), visible, and audio regions. SEDD is responsible for advances in laser sources, RF sources, IR sensors, signature detection and decoding, target imaging and its interpretation, fusion of data derived from several sensors, and electromagnetic protection.

In addition, SEDD is responsible for improving the technology base for electron devices and materials related to sensors and power devices. Research is conducted in related aspects of physics, electrical engineering, computer science, solid-state physics, chemical engineering, material sciences, and electrochemistry.

About ARL-RAP

The Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) is designed to significantly increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Army. Scientists and Engineers at the CCDC Army Research Laboratory (ARL) help shape and execute the Army's program for meeting the challenge of developing technologies that will support Army forces in meeting future operational needs by pursuing scientific research and technological developments in diverse fields such as: applied mathematics, atmospheric characterization, simulation and human modeling, digital/optical signal processing, nanotechnology, material science and technology, multifunctional technology, combustion processes, propulsion and flight physics, communication and networking, and computational and information sciences.

If selected by an advisor the participant will also be required to write a research proposal to submit to the ARL-RAP review panel.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Academic Level(s): Any academic level.
• Discipline(s): Chemistry and Materials Sciences (Polymer Chemistry)
• Engineering
  • Age: Must be 18 years of age