Soft Materials Solutions for Future Needs

Abstract

Background: Rapid heating of polymer components can have catastrophic effects, such as contained vaporization, which are poorly understood. Hostile environment effects on stockpile-aged or new materials need study. Need: Elucidate chemical and physical changes using scientifically rigorous surrogate stimuli, and in situ techniques. Bulk and surface phenomena must be distinguished. Required diagnostics are impractical at large user facilities. Goal and Vision: Identify failure mechanisms and test materials of diverse pedigrees (stockpile, candidate replacement) using a local, adaptable, high throughput testing capability, integrated with modeling.