Tailoring Mechanics using Nature’s Building Blocks

LaShanda T. Korley, Case Western Reserve University, DMR 0953236

Strain

ΔT

Enhanced stiffness, but brittle

Stretchy, but soft

With poly(amino acid)sWithout poly(amino acids)

Nature uses amino acids to hierarchically-design mechanically robust materials, such as silks, collagen and titin. [1]

We have used poly(amino acids) to modify the mechanical properties of traditional polyurethanes, particularly for low strain applications. [2]

Further developments may lead to polymeric hybrids with tailored mechanical response with potential applications in smart coatings and biomaterials for tissue engineering scaffolds.

The well-defined secondary structures of these building blocks are also being exploited to develop responsive materials for ‘smart’ applications utilizing thermally-activated poly(amino acids).

β-sheet α-helix

[1] J.C. Johnson & L.T.J. Korley, Soft Matter, 2012, 10.1039/C2SM26185E; [2] J. C. Johnson, N. D. Wanasekara & L. T. J. Korley, Biomacromolecules, 2012, 13, 1279–1286

Building Bridges in the Engineering CommunityLaShanda T. Korley, Case Western Reserve University, DMR 0953236

Sister 2 SisterApproximately 15 women faculty, administrators, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students participated in an evening forum to share experiences in academia and industry in STEM disciplines and to dialogue about future career pathways. It is generally held 3 times per year.

Engineering ExplorationAn undergraduate and a graduate student teamed up to highlight the fields of chemical engineering, and polymer science and engineering to a group of ~40 middle school students in Shaker Heights, OH. Hands-on demonstrations involving extrusion and mixing were developed for the students.