Project Info

Formulating Shear Thickening Fluids for Enhancing Impact Protection

This project is interesting because the results will impact the lives of many individuals, including those who engage in sports (bicycling, climbing, skiing, boarding, and 70 more), those who are susceptible to impact injury (for example the elderly), and public servants in high-risk roles such as individuals who protect us police or military duty roles.
The project is also appealing because it is embedded within an interdisciplinary research team with established mentoring practices, spirited cross-disciplinary training, and exceptional entrepreneurial spirit.

The goal of this project is to formulate a low-cost shear-thickening polymeric fluid that can be incorporated into a composite impact mitigating system to reduce the consequences of occupational and sports injuries.

Mines has patented a Hybrid Material System (HMS) capable of outperforming by four-fold the best available commercial impact mitigation system. Funding to increase the cost-effectiveness of the manufacturing of this innovation has recently been awarded. The functionality of the HMS can be extended by adding resistance to abrasion and local penetration. Both of these functions require a material which does not readily tear or deform under high-rate shear. A self-stiffening non-Newtonian particle-bearing or fiber-bearing fluid can rapidly stiffen in response to impact.

This project will develop and test alternative formulations of shear thickening composite fluids. The fluids will be embedded in polymeric foams, which also contain an impact-absorbing metal micro-lattice.

Three phases of research will be conducted. In phase one we will evaluate candidate particles or fibers to suspend in gel-like polymer matrices. In phase two alternate polymer matrices will be selected and evaluated to obtain a suitable balance between speed of thickening and degree of abrasion and penetration resistance. Finally, in phase three, at least one loaded polymeric gel will be tested, including an embedding a metal micro-lattice.

Overview of Dr. Lowe’s Transdisciplinary Nanostructured Materials Research Team:
https://metallurgy.mines.edu/project/lowe-terry/

Reference on ballistic resistance of shear thickening fluids:
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1207.1022.pdf

Student Preparation

Qualifications

No prior skills are required. All skills needed for this project will be taught through mentoring by Dr. Lowe and his research team members. An interest in materials science will be helpful.

Time Commitment

5-10 hours per week

Skills/Techniques Gained

The student will learn to work in an interdisciplinary research team environment. He/she will learn basic skills in metal/oxide particle synthesis, mixing, and characterization, plus skills in polymer chemistry and characterization.

Mentoring Plan

Dr. Lowe’s Transdisciplinary Nanostructured Materials Research Team (TNMRT) has formal mentoring processes that are implemented for all research team members and associates. The team meets bi-weekly. All members are assigned multiple mentoring relationships to learn research skills, problem-solving, and technical leadership.