RESEARCH INTERESTS

Research and development projects, on composite materials and hybrids, nanocomposites, polymers and biomedical composites, encompassing: microstructure-property relation; morphology of bulk crystallinity, transcrystallinity and confined nanostructures; fracture mechanisms and failure modes; mechanical and physical property testing & evaluation; calorimetric, thermal, thermomechanical and thermophysical properties; biomedical composites for soft tissue prostheses; intercalated carbon nanoparticle based composites of conductive polymers.

RECENT AND CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS INCLUDE:
ü	Studying the crystalline morphology of smi-crystalline polymers including polyamides, polyolefins and polyimides in the presence of reinforcing fibers and nano-inclusions, by synchrotron microbeam WAXS.
ü	Developing filament wound polyethylene/polyethylene composites and crosslinked UHMWPE fiber compacts for ligament and tendon prostheses.
ü	Studying the effects of transcrystalline interfaces on the dynamic mechanical and dielectric behavior of composite materials.
ü	Developing a polyethylene fiber reinforced polyethylene composite and UHMWPE fiber compact plate for ballistic protection.
ü	Studying recrystallization and generation of crystallinity in carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyimides in the presence of oligoimides and of carbon nanoparticles.
ü	Analyzing the effect of non-uniform heating on the chemical and engineering properties of glass fiber reinforced thermoset polyimides.
ü	Mechanical properties of carbon nanotube reinforced composites (with H.D. Wagner).
ü	Electrical properties of intercalated carbon nanoparticle-doped conductive polymer composites.