The George H. Heilmeier Faculty Award for Excellence in Research
The George H. Heilmeier Faculty Award for Excellence in Research was established by Penn Engineering for the purpose of recognizing excellence in scholarly activities of the faculty. Named in honor of George H. Heilmeier, it recognizes his extraordinary research career, his leadership in technical innovation and public service, and his loyal and steadfast support of Penn Engineering.
2012 Heilmeier Award and Lecture
Karen I. Winey
Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
"Electrical Properties in Polymer Nanocomposites"
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at
4:30 p.m.
Wu & Chen Auditorium,
Levine Hall
Abstract
Nanoparticles, particularly carbon nanotubes and metal nanowires, provide new routes for engineering the electrical properties of polymers. This lecture will focus on two aspects of this expanding field, namely electrical conductivity and resistive switching. With regard to electrical conductivity, Winey has demonstrated the importance of nanotube orientation both via simulation and by melt processing the nanocomposite to align carbon nanotubes and using X-ray scattering to quantify the extent of orientation. To better compare simulations and experimental results, Winey’s group has made silver nanowires of well-defined aspect ratios (L/D < 50) and the experimental thresholds for electrical percolation compare favorably with both their simulations and analytical models as a function of aspect ratio. The study of electrical percolation in polymer nanocomposites presumes that two states dominate such that below and above the critical concentration the electrical conductivity is dominated by the insulating matrix and by the conductive fillers, respectively. In contrast, Winey and her group have found resistive switching in nanocomposites of silver nanowires and polystyrene, wherein these bulk materials can reversibly transform from high to low resistance as a function of applied voltage. Cyclic voltammetry measurements at 10K are consistent with the hypothesis that applied voltage can form conductive silver filaments between neighboring nanowires. Dynamic electrical properties in bulk polymer nanocomposites may enable new applications for polymer nanocomposites as functional materials.
Past Awardees Include:
2010-11: Christopher S. Chen - "For fundamental contributions in the study and design of cellular microenvironments" Learn more...
2009-10: Rajeev Alur – "For fundamental contributions in software verification for real-time systems" Learn more...
2008-09: Scott Diamond – "Discoveries and innovations in high throughput screening and micro-array technology"
2007-08: Nader Engheta – "Research contributions on nano-optics and related metamaterials"
2006-07: Pedro Ponte-Castañeda - "Homogenization theory for estimating effective mechanical behavior of nonlinear, heterogeneous materials"
2005-06: Dawn A. Bonnell - For significant contributions in "Nanolithography and nanostructure assembly"
2004-05: Michael Kearns - "New algorithmic ideas in game theory and machine learning"
2003-04: Dennis E. Discher and Daniel A. Hammer - "Polymersomes, discovery and characterization"
2002-03: David E. Luzzi - "Carbon nanotubes and 'peapods'"
2001-02: Raymond J. Gorte - "Solid oxide fuel cells"
Bio: George H. Heilmeier, EE'58, Ph.D., Princeton
Dr. George H. Heilmeier is Chairman Emeritus of Telcordia Technologies, formerly Bellcore, a leading provider of communications software and professional services. Prior to announcing his retirement in November 1997, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of Texas Instruments, Inc., Director of DARPA and Head of Solid State Device Research at RCA. Dr. Heilmeier received international recognition for his discovery of several new electro-optic effects in liquid crystals leading to the development of the first liquid crystal displays for watches, calculators, and instrumentation. He holds 15 patents.
Dr. Heilmeier received his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1958 and MA, MSE, and Ph.D. degrees in solid-state electronics from Princeton University. He is known for his operational, technical and strategic leadership in transforming new technologies into market driven successes. Dr. Heilmeier has received numerous awards, including the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Founders Medal, the National Academy of Engineering's highest honor the Founders Award, the Japan Prize in Computers and Communications, the Industrial Research Institute Medal, and the National Medal of Science among others. In 2002, he received the Pioneer of Stealth Award for Visionary Leadership and Trailblazing Contributions of Enduring National Significance in the Development of Low Observable Aircraft."
He served as a White House Fellow, and is a Life Fellow of the IEEE and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a member of the Defense Science Board, and the National Security Agency Advisory Board. He serves on the Boards of Directors of TRW, the MITRE Corporation, INET Technologies Inc., Teletech Holdings, and Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Corporation. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering and Chairman of the General Motors Technology Advisory Board. Dr. Heilmeier's leadership in telecommunications and technology management was also recognized through honorary doctorate degrees from Stevens Institute and the Israeli Institute of Technology (the Technion).