......................................................................................................... i SAMMANFATTNING .......................................................................................... iii Papers included in the Thesis .....................................................................................................iv Other work not included in the Thesis...........

In the current scenario, natural fiber reinforced polymer nanocomposites are widely used in the areas of aerospace, automobile, sports and military sectors due to its multi-functional features like high specific strength, high corrosion resistance, flame resistance, improved mechanical properties and low cost when compared with artificial fiber reinforced composites. These polymer based nanocom...

orientation on high field properties and energy storage V. Tomer, G. Polizos, C. A. Randall, and E. Manias Center of Dielectric Studies (CDS), Materials Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, 260 MRL–University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA Polymer Nanostructrures Lab–Center for the Study of Polymeric Systems (CSPS), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylv...

By employing molecular dynamics simulations, we explore the dynamics of NPs in semiflexible ring polymer nanocomposite melts. A novel glass transition is observed for NPs in semiflexible ring polymer melts as the bending energy (Kb) of ring polymers increases. For NPs in flexible ring polymer melts (Kb = 0), NPs move in the classic diffusive behavior. However, for NPs in semiflexible ring polym...

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are considered to be one of the most promising candidates for portable and stationary applications in the view of their advantages such as high energy density, easy manipulation, high efficiency and they operate with liquid fuel which could be used without requiring any fuel-processing units. Electrolyte membrane of DMFC plays a key role as a proton conductor ...

The understanding of the basic physical relationships between nano-scale structural variables and the macroscale properties of polymer nanocomposites remains in its infancy. The primary objective of this article is to ascertain the state of the art regarding the understanding and prediction of the macroscale properties of polymers reinforced with nanometer-sized solid inclusions over a wide tem...

Properties of various conductive nano-composites are dominated by quantum-level effects across small barriers created by the matrix material. The properties of the matrix clearly have a vital influence on the resultant behavior of the material. However, the quantification of the relevant matrix properties at the quantum level is difficult to measure using current techniques. This paper reports ...