NIST – TechConnect Briefs

Advances in Next-Generation Polyolefin Standard Reference Materials

Orski S.V., Farrell W.S., Beers K.L., NIST, US

Advanced synthetic processes and novel metal-based catalysts have revolutionized manufacturers’ ability to tailor molar mass, polydispersity, and degree of short chain branching into polyolefin plastics synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks. These capabilities have resulted in polymers [...]

Development of surface chemical approaches for detection and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes dispersed in a polymer composite

Gorham J.M., Osborn W.A., Woodcock J.W., Scott K.C.K., Heddleston J.M., Hight Walker A.R., Gilman J.W., NIST, US

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and other carbon nanofillers are used in different applications to enhance the materials and electrical properties of consumer products as polymer composites. As a result, concern has arisen regarding the potential [...]

Silicon Photonic Temeprature Sensors

Ahmed Z., NIST, US

For the past century, industrial temperature measurements have relied on resistance measurement of a thin metal wire or filament whose resistance varies with temperature. Though resistance thermometers can routinely measure industrial temperatures with uncertainties of [...]

Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Inhibition of DNA Damage

Nelson B.C., NIST, US

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are remarkable materials in terms of their enhanced thermal and electrical conductivities, tensile strengths and mechanical properties. However, our understanding of the potential environmental, health and safety risks of these novel nanomaterials [...]

Viscoelastic Contact Resonance Force Microscopy of Polymers in Liquid

Churnside A.B., Tung R.C., Aziz A., Bryant S., Killgore J.P., NIST, US

Contact resonance force microscopy (CR-FM) is an AFM-based technique for quantitatively determining the nanoscale mechanical properties of materials. In CR-FM, the resonant properties of an AFM cantilever in contact with the surface are interpreted as [...]

Investigation of Silica Nanoparticles Accumulated on the Surface of Polymer Nanocomposites Exposed to UV Radiation Using ICP-OES

Rabb S.A., Yu L.L., Bernard C., Nguyen T., NIST, US

Silica nanoparticles are being utilized to enhance the mechanical performance of polymeric materials used in the automotive and construction industries. However, cumulative effects of UV radiation will degrade the polymeric molecules, resulting in a potential [...]

3D Metrology of sub-60 nm Isolated Lines Using TSOM Optical Method

Attota R., Dixson R.G., NIST, US

In the current world of nanotechnology, fast and reliable 3D measurement of nanoscale features is extremely useful. Furthermore, it if the analytical tools used are cost effective and have high throughput–such as optics-based tools. In [...]

Nanoparticle size and shape evaluation using the TSOM optical microscopy method

Attota R., Silver R.M., Vladar A., NIST, US

We present a novel optical technique that produces nanometer dimensional measurement sensitivity using a conventional optical microscope, by analyzing through-focus scanning optical microscope (TSOM - pronounced as ‘tee-som’) images obtained at different focus positions. In [...]

Direct Evidence of Nanoparticle Release from Epoxy Nanocomposites Exposed to 295 nm-400 nm UV Radiation

Nguyen T., Pellegrin B., Stutzman P., Shapiro A., Byrd E., Gu X., Chin J., NIST, US

Nanoparticles are increasingly used for enhancing multiple properties of polymers in many industries including construction, automobile, and aerospace. However, recent research suggests that nanoparticles might have negative effects on the environments and health safety. Since [...]

Role of Nanoparticles in Life Cycle of Nanocomposites

Gu X., Chen G., Zhao M., Watson S.S., Zhe D., Stutzman P.E., Nguyen T., Chin J.W., Martin J.W., NIST, US

This study is to investigate the role of ZnO nanoparticles in the life cycle of a waterborne polyurethane (PU) nanocomposite during UV exposure. The specimens were exposed to the NIST SPHERE (Simulated Photodegradation via High [...]