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.

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 CoEE is one of few national academic groups which has a complete system for making PET nanocomposites by in situ polymerization. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded research funding to the CoEE to construct and evaluate polymer nanocomposite structures for application in high energy storage devices.

The CoEE anticipates further partnerships with several South Carolina capacitor companies, including KEMET and AVX. From 2007–10, the CoEE will receive $600,000 in research funding from NSF for a Partnership for Innovation project; partner companies in this project include Michelin, MeadWestvaco, and PBI Performance Products. BASF has granted research funding to this CoEE to
develop the next generation of high temperature fuel cell membranes. To date, the CoEE has received more than $1.6 million in research funding.

CoEE Chair Dr. Brian Benicewicz’s work in high-temperature fuel cell membranes has resulted in a research contract with BASF which has developed fuel cell units being used in European homes and portable power devices. In his work with polymer nanocomposites, he has designed new materials for electronics, optical, and other industrial applications.

Funding level:
$3.5 million

CoEE Endowed Chair:

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

CoEE Chair Dr. Brian Benicewicz of the Polymer Nanocomposites CoEE
reviews laboratory research with USC Ph.D. student Jessica Frankel.