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Loyola, Bryan

Publications and source records attributed to Loyola, Bryan.

Surface treatment of ultra-high molecular weight polymers

The methods and compounds disclosed herein relate to the surface modification of UHMWPs by means of a catalytic C—H bond insertion catalyst using a rhodium catalysts in conjunction with carbene-generating diazo compounds. The catalytic treatment imparts covalently added functionality to the UHMWPE surface. This functionality acts as an excellent grafting mechanism for grafting, bonding, or adhering further materials to the UHMWPs surface.

O'Bryan, Greg↗

Grips for testing of electrical characteristics of a specimen under a mechanical load

Various technologies to facilitate coupled electrical and mechanical measurement of conductive materials are disclosed herein. A gripping device simultaneously holds a specimen in place and causes contact to be made between the specimen and a plurality of electrodes connected to an electrical measuring device. An electrical characteristic of the specimen is then measured while a mechanical load is applied to the specimen, and a relationship between the mechanical load and changes in the electrical characteristic can be identified.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Imaging latex–carbon nanotube composites by subsurface electrostatic force microscopy

Electrostatic modes of atomic force microscopy have shown to be non-destructive and relatively simple methods for imaging conductors embedded in insulating polymers. Here we use electrostatic force microscopy to image the dispersion of carbon nanotubes in a latex-based conductive composite, which brings forth features not observed in previously studied systems employing linear polymer films. A fixed-potential model of the probe-nanotube electrostatics is presented which in principle gives access to the conductive nanoparticle's depth and radius, and the polymer film dielectric constant. Comparing this model to the data results in nanotube depths that appear to be slightly above the film–air interface. Furthermore, this result suggests that water-mediated charge build-up at the film–air interface may be the source of electrostatic phase contrast in ambient conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗