Faculty - Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Robert A. Weiss Professor Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Email: rweiss@mail.ims.uconn.edu Web: http://www.ims.uconn.edu/poly/content/view/44/106

Research Interest: Proton Exchange Membranes

Research involves the development of new polymer electrolyte membranes for proton exchage membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Topics include the synthesis and characterization of new ionomers, polymer blends formed from sulfonate ionomers and high temperature thermoplastic, block copolymer ionomers and phosphonate ionomers.

Research Interest: Polymer Blends

Research in this area focuses on the effects of strong interactions on the phase behavior, phase separation kinetics and interfacial mixing characteristics of polymer blends, the effect of flow on the phase behavior and structure formation of polymer blends, and reactive compatibilization of liquid crystalline polymer mixtures.

Research Interest: Wetting of Thin Polymer Films

The stability of polymeric coatings is an important issue in a wide variety of disciplines, including electronics, biomaterials, smart materials, adhesives, tribology, lithography, and composites. Our research in this area examines the effect of ionomers on the dewetting of thin film coatings on inorganic substrates.

Research Interest: Electrically Conductive Polymers

Our research in this area focuses on the in situ polymerization of inherently conductive polymers such as polypyrrole to prepare electrically conductive polymer foams that can be used as chemical sensors.

Research Interest: Hydrophobically Modified Hydrogels

Copolymers of alkyl-acrylamides and fluoroacrylates exhibit microphase separation due to hydrophobic associations of the fluorinated species. Studies are directed at understanding their microstructure and phase transitions. Biomedical applications of these hydrogels are being examined.