Polymer Nanocomposites Center of Economic Excellence

Inception:
2004

About the CoEE:

Research at the Polymer Nanocomposites CoEE focuses on developing improved materials for the polymers market. The plastics industry in South Carolina currently accounts for approximately 5% of the Gross State Product of goods and services. This CoEE is aiming to transform the plastics industry and thus have a major impact on the state’s manufacturing economy.

USC’s polymer nanocomposite program has established more than 20 relationships with manufacturers, plastic processors, and end-use fabricators with facilities in South Carolina. A research consortium is being formed to evaluate the potential applications of inorganic and organic-modified inorganic nanomaterials to improve the performance of a variety of polyester (PET) polymers used in the food packing industry; South Carolina is a national leader in production of these polymers. The CoEE is also involved in evaluating and improving the gas barrier properties of PET as embodied in a patent portfolio donated to USC by Eastman Chemical Company.

The Polymer Nanocomposites CoEE has received a grant of $901,000 from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to construct and evaluate polymer nanocomposite structures for application in high-energy storage devices.

Funding level:
$3.5 million

CoEE endowed chair:

For more information, please visit the University of South Carolina Nanocenter web site