9705696 Baer Development of layer-multiplying devices permits continuous co-extrusion of polymer sheet or film with hundreds or thousands of alternating layers of two or more materials. Layer thicknesses from the macroscale (tens of microns) to the microscale (several microns) and finally to the nanoscale (tens of nanometers) can be created. Motivated by the need for new processing technologies for creating engineered microstructures of incompatible polymers, a microlayer facility was created at CWRU during the previous grant period. This unique facility includes a two-component process that produces sheet or film with alternating layer of polymer A and polymer B, and a second system that adds a third "tie" layer (polymer C) between A and B. A research program to study the advantages that can be achieved with this versatile process will be initiated. New opportunities will be addressed in two broad areas: (1) Fundamental studies of adhesion, diffusion, and crystallization utilizing model systems created by microlayer coextrusion, and (2) creation and characterization of new materials that exhibit synergistically enhanced properties where the properties might be mechanical, optical, barrier, electronic or combinations of these. %%% This project will provide fundamental understanding of novel processing technologies for the generation of mechanically improved materials based upon multiple layers of different polymers. ***
