Linda Schadler Trustee (2011-2014)

Linda Schadler, Ph.D., FASM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Engineering Russell Sage Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY

Dr. Linda S. Schadler joined Rensselaer in 1996 and is currently the Russell Sage Professor in Materials Science and Engineering and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the School of Engineering. She graduated from in 1985 with a B.S. in materials science and engineering and received a PhD in materials science and engineering in 1990 from the University of Pennsylvania. After two years of post-doctoral work at IBM Yorktown Heights, Schadler served as a faculty member at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA before coming to Rensselaer.

Active in materials research for over 22 years, Schadler is an experimentalist and her research has focused on the micromechanical behavior of two-phase systems, primarily polymer composites. Her interests currently include the mechanical, optical, and electrical behavior of nanofilled polymer composites. Schadler has co-authored more than 140 journal publications, several book chapters, and one book. She has given more than 120 invited lectures and 28 Ph.D.s have graduated from her group. Dr. Schadler received a National Science Foundation National Young Investigator award in 1994 and the ASM International Bradley Stoughton Award for Teaching in 1997. She received a Dow Outstanding New Faculty member award from the American Society of Engineering Education in 1998 and is an ASM International Fellow.

Linda is a current member of ASM International’s Board of Trustees and a former member of the National Materials Advisory Board and was the education and outreach coordinator for the National Science Foundation’s Center “Directed Assembly of Nanostructures” headquartered at Rensselaer. As part of that positions she was one of the executive producers for the Molecularium – a new style of planetarium show that takes the audience (primarily students in K-5) on a magical musical adventure into the world of atoms and molecules with the help of oxy, hydro and hydra (www.molecularium.com). Children learn that “everything is made of atoms and molecules” and about the three states of matter “solids slow, liquids flow, gas is fast!”

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Abstract – Linda Schadler, Ph.D., FASM

Nanodielectrics for Improved Cable Insulation and Field Grading Materials

Linda Schadler, Ph.D., FASM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Engineering Russell Sage Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY

In recent years, the availability and low cost of nanometer-sized filler particles has generated great interest in polymer nanocomposites for a host of applications, including electrical insulation (with enhanced breakdown and voltage endurance properties) and field grading materials. We have found that the addition of nanofillers to both thermoplastics and thermosets can result in significant improvements in both electric breakdown strength and endurance strength. In addition, we have found that despite larger water absorption in nanocomposites, the water treeing behavior is greatly reduced. This talk will present our most recent results including studies done to elucidate the mechanisms leading to enhanced properties.

In addition, we have been developing resistive and refractive field grading materials. We have demonstrated the ability to tune the field grading properties using a variety of nanofillers. This talk will present some of our most recent results in using graphene oxide and barium titanate fibers.

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Polymer Nanocomposites: To Improve Properties Globally, Think Locally

Linda Schadler, Ph.D., FASM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Engineering Russell Sage Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY

The addition of small volume fractions of nanoparticles, can result in orders of magnitude changes in electrical endurance and wear rate as well as unique combinations of properties such as simultaneous improvements in modulus, strength, and ductility. These exciting properties can only be obtained when the nanoparticle/polymer interface is carefully controlled. We have been tailoring the wetting angle and work of adhesion between short molecule modified nanofillers and polymer matrix, as well as creating hairy (polymer modified) nanoparticles in which we can control both the enthalpic and entropic filler / matrix interactions. As a result, we are creating maps that predict changes in mobility and glass transition temperature for short molecule modified nanofilled composites, and creating maps that show the wet to dry brush transitions in hairy nanoparticle composites. We have taken this knowledge and applied it to two key technology areas: nanodielectrics and optical materials. This talk will highlight our latest results and provide motivation for the work by showing select examples of the impact of the interface on dielectric and optical properties of polymer nanocomposites.

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