Montgomery T. Shaw

Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering

Education

Ph.D. Princeton University
B.Ch.E. Cornell University

Contact Information

Phone: (860) 486-3980
Email: montgomery.shaw@uconn.edu
Website: http://www.engr.uconn.edu/cmbe/page.php?id=fac&pid=mshaw

Research Interests

Rheological Properties of Nanoparticle Suspensions
Micro- and nano-size polymer particles are commonly used as additives in coatings, lubricants and cosmetics to change rheological properties without compromising desirable characteristics. We are studying the rheology and microstructure of organic fluids carrying crosslinked polymer particles, with the goal of controlling the temperature dependence of the flow properties or these suspensions. Certain of these suspensions show increasing viscosity with temperature, which may lead to applications in lubricants and thermally cured coatings.

Structured Membranes for Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are becoming an important component of this country's energy conversion and storage system. One class of fuel cells relies on a polymeric membrane to separate the two electrodes. This membrane must have a demanding balance of properties. We are investigating the use of high-performance polymer blends in this application, as mixtures of polymers allow properties to be optimized. (Supported by NSF; joint with R. Weiss, Cheg)

Orthopedic Composites: Processing and Properties.
Certain materials for orthopedic applications must feature unusually high stiffness that cannot be reached using polymers alone. We are investigating composite materials that feature three components, one of which is a needle-like nanoparticles made from hydroxyapatite, a form of calcium phosphate. If designed correctly, these composites exhibit high stiffness, good toughness and controlled biodegradation. The calcium phosphate also encourages osteointegration, which means that the bone will eventually replace the entire composite. (Supported by the NSF and CII; joint with M. Wei, MSE)

Recent Publications

Journal Papers:

Brijmohan, S. B. and M. T. Shaw. 2007. Magnetic ion exchange nanoparticles and their application in proton exchange membranes J. Membr. Sci. 303: 64-71.

Gasa, J. V., R. A. Weiss and M. T. Shaw. 2007. Ionic crosslinking of polymer electrolyte membranes using barium cations. J. Membr. Sci. 304: 173-180.
Patil, Y. P., A. Senador, P. T. Mather, and M. T. Shaw. 2007. Rheological characterization of asphalt in a temperature-gradient combinatorial squeeze-flow setup. Rheol. Acta 46: 1075-1082.

Shaw, M. T. 2007 Detection of multiple flow regimes in capillary flow at low stress. J. Rheol. 51:1303-1318.
Kothapalli, C., M. T. Shaw, J. Olsen and M. Wei. 2008. Fabrication of Novel Calcium Phosphate/Poly(lactic acid) Fiber Composites J Biomed. Mater. Res. Part B: Appl. Biomater. 84B:89-97.

Ling, G. H. and M. T. Shaw. 2008. Reversible thermal gelation of soft semi-crystalline polyethylene microparticles with surface interactions in squalane. Polym. Eng. Sci. 48: 329-335.

Kothapalli, C., M. Wei and M. T. Shaw. 2008. Solvent-specific gel-like transition via complexation of polyelectrolyte and charged nanoparticles in binary fluid mixtures: A rheological study. Soft Matter 4:600 - 605.

Gasa, J. V., R. A. Weiss and M. T. Shaw. 2008. Structured polymer electrolyte blends based on sulfonated polyetherketoneketone (SPEKK) and a poly (ether imide) (PEI). J. Membr. Sci. (in press).

Proceedings Papers:

Sun, Shih-Po, M. Wei, J. R. Olson,and M. T. Shaw. 2008. Fully absorbable orthopedic composites via a modified pultrusion process. Conf. Proc. Polym. Proc. Soc., June 15-19, Salerno, Italy, Paper #S11-879 (CD only).

Ling, Gerald and M. T. Shaw. 2008. Thermo-gelation of surface-modified polyethylene microgels from fragmentation and immiscible blends. Proc. XVth International Congress on Rheology, August 2-8 (CD only).

Sun, S-P., M. Wei, J. R. Olson and M. T. Shaw. 2008. Hydroxyapatite- polylactide composite for bone repair,” Paper #0944 Proc. 66th Ann. Techn. Conf., Society of Plastics Engineers, May4-7.

Presentations:

“Rheological behavior of polycaprolactone containing rod-like hydroxyapatite nano particles,” (Shih-Po Sun, M. Wei, J. Olson and M. T. Shaw), Paper SC-33, 79th Annual Meeting, The Society of Rheology, Salt Lake City, UT, October 10, 2007.

“Hydroxyapatite- polylactide composite for bone repair,” (Shih-Po Sun, M. Wei, J. R. Olson and M. T. Shaw), Annual Meeting, Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE ANTEC), Paper #0944, Milwaukee, WI, May 5, 2008.

Polymer Program: 860.486.3582: polymer@ims.uconn.edu