Sandia, University of Akron to collaborate in materials science

Sandia and the University of Akron have signed a Master Research Agreement to work together in additive manufacturing, advanced materials research, and related areas.

Sandia will work principally with the university’s College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, which includes polymer chemistry and polymer physics groups and specialized labs for synthesis and measurements.

“The combination of diverse university and Sandia capabilities should improve our knowledge of materials structure, properties, and performance and help expand our processes to produce, transform, and analyze materials,” says Center 1800 Director Terry Aselage. “Further, we anticipate access to more than 350 polymer science and engineering students and postdocs will foster a strong hiring pipeline for organic chemistry and polymer science and engineering research staff.”

The agreement will allow Sandia and University of Akron researchers to work together in such areas as carbon nanomaterials and conjugated polymer developments; understanding the role adhesion, friction, and wear play in coatings, lubricants, and adhesives to help develop novel materials; and studying biomimicry with the goal of creating advanced adhesives for engineering applications and biological adhesives and developing technologies, such as carbon nanotube-based coatings to reduce drag or inhibit ice formation. It also establishes a framework for managing intellectual property that may be developed during the collaborations.

“Together we will collaborate to develop new scientific insights and material innovations to benefit the Laboratories’ missions and the materials research community,” says senior manager Mike Valley (1810). For example, the university’s research into aging effects, such as radiation damage to polymers, will augment Sandia’s research on the aging of materials.