Selected Ph.D. and M.S. Theses

2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

2007

Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Biodegradable Polylactide Containing Block Copolymers, Lu Sun, Ph.D., Advisor: L. Zhu

Early Transition Metal Catalyzed Synthesis of Complex Polymer Architectures, Gobinda Saha, Ph.D., Advisor: A.D. Asandei

Field Structured Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells, Smita Brijmohan, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes: Separation and Applications to Biosensors, Sang Nyon Kim, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Optoelectronic Properties of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes and their Aggregates, Zhengtang Luo, Ph.D., Advisor: F.Papadimitrakopoulos

Synthesis and Characterization of Multi-phase Materials at the Nanoscale, Rose Guino, Ph.D., Advisor: T.A.P Seery

Effect of Alteration of Antioxidant on the Dielectric Strength of Biaxially-Oriented Polypropylene, Janet Ho, Ph.D., Advisor: S.A. Boggs

2006

Optically Transparent, Water Processable Intrinsically Conductive Polymers, Byoungchul Lee, Ph.D., Advisor: G.A. Sotzing

Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites - Processing and Properties, Qiang Liu, Ph.D., Advisor: R.S. Parnas

Property and Structure Evolution of CdSe Nanocrystals in Amines, Rongfu Li, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Preparation of Conductive Polypyrrole/Polyurethane Foams and Their Application as Chemical Sensors, Yanbing Wang, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss & G.A. Sotzing

In-situ Water Measurements in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells by Fiber Optic Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Yatin Patil, Ph.D., Advisor: R.S. Parnas, & M.T. Shaw

Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembled Thin Films for Potential Applications in Semiconducting Devices and Electrochemical Sensors, Ritesh Tipnis, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

DNA - and AC electric Field-Assisted Assembly of 2D Colloidal Photonic Crystals and their Controlled Defect Insertion, Sejong Kim, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Micro & Nano Scale Organization and Its Photoelectronic Applications, Baocheng Yang, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Synthesis of Monomers and Polymeric Precursors to Impact Processability and Patternability to Conducting Polymers, Arvind Kumar, Ph.D., Advisor: G.A. Sotzing

Development of Structured Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications, Jeffrey M Gasa, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

Melt-Intercalation Studies of Polystyrene Ionomers in Pristine Montmorillonite, Nikhil Bhiwankar, Ph.D. Advisor: R.A. Weiss

2005

Nano-Particle Formation in Zinc Sulfonated Polystyrene Ionomer/Thermotrophic Liquid Crystalline Polymer Blend by Melt-Mixing, Hyuk-soo Lee, Ph.D., Advisor: R. A. Weiss

Microstructure and Rheology of Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) Polymeric Nanocomposites, Jian Wu, Ph.D., Advisor: P.T. Mather

Structure and Relaxation in Amorphous Materials Studied by Solid State NMR and Computer Simulations, Magesh Nandagopal, Ph.D., Advisor: M. Utz

Ligand Assisted Assemblies of Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dots for Optoelectronics and Biological Applications, Jeunghoon Lee, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

A New Early Transition Metal System for Living Radical Polymerization Initiated from Epoxides and Unactivated Halides, Isaac Moran, Ph.D., Advisor: A. Asandei

Study of Wheat Protein Based Materials, Peng Ye, Ph.D., Advisor: R.S. Parnas

Localization of Plastic Shear Events in Glassy Materials, Qing Peng, Ph.D., Advisor: M. Utz

pi-Conjugated Polymers: Synthesis and Applications in Devices, Venkataramanan Seshadri, Ph.D., Advisor: G.A. Sotzing

Molecular Simulations of Polymeric and Biological Systems: Protein-Polyelectrolyte Complexes and Bacterial Motility, Junhwan Jeon, Ph.D., Advisor: A.V. Dobrynin

2004

Degradation and Morphological Disorder in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, Mathew Mathai, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Enhanced Processibility of Conductive Polymers via Solid-state Oxidative Cross-linking, Sung-Yeon Jang, Ph.D., Advisor: G.A. Sotzing

Ordering Kinetics and Dynamics of Diblock Copolymer Solutions, Zhizhong Liu, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

Studies of Layer-by-Layer Polyelectrolyte Adsorption, Christophe LeFaux, Ph.D., Advisor: P.T. Mather

Preparation and Investigation of Tailored Shape Memory Polymers, Changdeng Liu, Ph.D., Advisor: P.T. Mather

Development of Soft Polymeric Networks Showing Actuation Behavior: from Hydrogels to Liquid Crystalline Elastomers, Ingrid Rousseau, Ph.D., Advisor: P.T. Mather

Microstructure of Hydrophobically Modified Alkyl Acrylamides, Jun Tian, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

Fracture Toughening of Polyprepylene with Liquid Crystalline Polymer, Qi Wu, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

High Performance Thermosets: Liquid Crystalline Networks and Reactive Hyperbranched Additives, Haihu Qin, Ph.D., Advisor: P. T. Mather

2003

In Situ Characterization of Polymer Blend Mixing, Thomas Fabian, Ph.D., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Well-Defined Nanoparticle Hybrid Materials by Surface Initiated Polymerization from Silica Supports, Mark Jordi, Ph.D., Advisor: T.A.P. Seery

Near-Infrared Characterization of Water in Epoxy Networks for Modeling Property Changes, Matthew Burdzy, Ph.D., Advisor: C.S.P.Sung

Surface Properties of Functional Polymer Systems, Derek Wong, Ph.D., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Blue Electroluminescence of 8,8'-dinethoxy-5,5'-bisquinoline and Investigation on Exchange Dynamics and Enatiomers in Aluminum Tris-(Quinoline-8-olate) (Alg3), Changqing Chen, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

2002

The measurement of low-frequency viscolelastic properties of Polyolefins using creeping squeeze flow, Edwin Cua, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

The Separation and Substrate Independent Organization of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Debjit Chattopadhyay, Ph.D., Advisor F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Bioacceptable and Calcification Resistant Membranes and Interfaces for Implantable Sensors and Devices, Izabela Galeska, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Melt crystallization of bisphenol A polycarbonate in polycarbonate and sulfonated polystyrene ionomer blend, Liang Xu, Ph.D., Advisor: R. A. Weiss

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Phenylethynyl End-Capped Fluorinated Polyimides, Christopher D. Simone, Ph.D., Advisor: D. A. Scola

Multi-Component Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Systems from Itaconic Anhydride, Monica Ramos, Ph.D., Advisor: S. J. Huang

2001

Structural Basis of Activity and Mechanism of Class C ß-Lactamase, Gregg Crichlow, Ph.D., Advisor; J. R. Knox

Polymer-Polymer Adhesion Promotion by Copolymer Addition, Ralf Mason, Ph.D., Advisor: J. T. Koberstein

Spectroscopic Studies of the Polymerization of Anaerobic Adhesives, Eerik Maandi, Ph.D., Advisor: C. S. P. Sung

Surface modification for Biomedical Applications Using Multi-Component Polymers, D. A. Smith, Ph.D., Advisor: S. Huang/J. T. Koberstein

Solvent and Interface Effects on Coatings Formed by Spontaneous Polymerization, Joseph Puglisi, M. S., Advisor: J. P. Bell

Synthesis and Characterization of Si/SiOx Nanoparticles as Building Blocks for Electronic and Photonic Applications, Thomas Phely-Bobin, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Posttreatment and Enhancement of Coatings Formed by Spontaneous Polymerization on Aluminum, Chunyong Wu, Ph.D., Advisor: J. P. Bell

The Initiation of Spontaneous Polymerization on Metal Surfaces: Mechanism, Nicole Baker, Ph.D., Advisor J. P. Bell

Synthesis and Characterization of Radiation-Sensitive Polymers and Their Applications in Lithography, Hengpeng Wu, Ph.D., Advisor: K. E. Gonsalves

The Molecular Design of Functional Polymers, Patricia O'Rourke Muisener, Ph.D., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Modification of Polymeric Surface Using Block Copolymer in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide, Dongman Cho, Ph.D., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

2000

Surface Properties of PS/PVME Blends, Christopher Forrey, M.S., Advisor: J. T. Koberstein

The Determination of the Degradation Mechanism from the Kinetic Parameters of Dehydrochlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Decomposition, Kelly J. Jordan, Ph.D., Advisor: S.L. Suib

Nanoparticle Modifications with Surface Initiated Polymerization via Organometallic Catalysts, Fatma Vatansever, Ph.D., Advisor: T.A.P Seery

UV/Visible and Fluorescence SpectroscopicInvestigation of Polymer Systems, Michael D. Weir, Ph.D., Advisor: C.S.P. Sung

Synthesis of BioActive Hydrogles for Glucose Sensor, Caroline M. Decker, M.S., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Modulation of Polymer Properties Using Chains of Controlled Architectures, Mark H. Lee, M.S. Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Surface Initiated Polymerizations Utilizing Organometallic Catalysts, Dale L. Huber, Ph.D., Advisor: T.A.P. Seery

Biodegradable Polymers Derived from Renewable Resources: Highly Branched Copolymers of Itaconic Anhydride, Joshua A. Wallach, Ph.D., Advisor: S.J.Huang/F. Papadimitra-kopoulos

1999

Phase Behavior of Semiflexible Polymer Systems, David J. Moonay, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

A Room Temperature Method for the Formation of Ultrathin Silicon Oxide Films, Richard J. Muisener, Ph.D., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorinated Polyaminoquinones and Fluorinated Polyimides, Eleonora Vaccaro, Ph.D., Advisor: D.A. Scola

Investigation of Microwave Irridiation as an Energy Source in Polymerization Reactions, Xiaomei Fang, Ph.D., Advisor: D. A. Scola

Electrorheology of Filled Silicone Elastomers, Bo Liu, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

Structure and Dynamics of Polymer Solutions: Role of Solvent and Strong Specific Interactions, Amit Sehgal, Ph.D., Advisor: T.A.P. Seery

Synthesis of Sulfonated Liquid Crystalline Polymer by Melt Transesterification Reaction, Ying Luo, M.S., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

New Epoxy-Episulfide Resin System for Electronic and Coating Applications: Mechanism of Curing and Properties, Katsuyuki Tsuchida, Ph.D., Advisor: J.P. Bell

Cure Characterization of an Unsaturated Polyester Resin using Near-Infrared Fluorescence and UV/Visible Reflection Spectroscopes, Bradley Grunden, Ph.D., Advisor: C.S.P. Sung

Self Assembled Metal Chelate Thin Films and Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDS), Laurence Thomsen III, Ph.D., Advisor: F. Papadimitrakopoulos

Synthetic Design for Functional Polymer/Inorganic Nanocomposites, Jianzhao Wang, Ph.D., Advisor: K.E. Gonsalves

Neutron Reflectivity of Polymer Blends, Robert Braiewa, M.S. Advisor: R.A. Weiss

In-Situ Monitoring of a Polymer Cure using Dynamic Rheometry and Raman Spectroscopy, Jennifer Rose, M.S., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

Polymeric Coupling agents for Enhancing the Adhesion of Epoxy to Aluminum, Stephanie Nesbitt, Ph.D., Advisor: J.P. Bell

1998

Stress-Induced Structural Change and Phase Behavior of Polymer Blends, Zhengyu Hong, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

Synthetic Functionalized Biogradable Polymers and their Composites with Inorganics, Shuhua Jin, Ph.D., Advisor: K. Gonsalves

Molecular Design Alterations within Systems Containing Poly(lactic-acid), Michael Lostocco, Ph.D., Advisor; S.J. Huang

Synthesis of Protective Flexible Coatings on Copper via Spontaneous Polymerization, Kamal Nainani, M.S., Advisor: J.P. Bell

Impact Modification of Nylon, Brian Litke, M.S., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

1997

Spectroscopic Investigation of Cure Reaction in a Bishenol-A Dicyanate ester Thermosetting Resin, Youzhi Xu, Ph.D., Advisor: C.S.P. Sung

In Situ Investigation of Polymer Blend Mixing, Thomas Fabian, Advisor: J. Koberstein

Emission Fluorescence for the Bulk Curing of Polyurea-urethane, Shi-Kwun Wang, Ph.D., Advisor: C.S.P. Sung

Tailoring the Interface in S-Glass/Polycarbonate Composites for Dental Applications, Shrirang Ranade, Ph.D., Advisor, A. DiBenedetto

Synthesis of Coatings on Steel Surface by Electro and Surface Spontaneous Polymerizations, Xu Zhang, Ph.D., Advisor: J.P.Bell

Protective Coatings on Aluminum by Electro and Spontaneous Polymerization, Rajat Agarwal, Ph.D., Advisor: J.P. Bell

Mechanisms of Stabilization in Nanocomposites with Gold and Gallium Nitride Dispersed Phases, Gregory Carlson, Ph.D., Advisor: K. Gonsalves

Polymeric Coupling Agents for Enhancing the Adhesion of Epoxy to Steel, Karthik Vaideeswaran, Ph.D, Advisor: J.P. Bell

1996

Preparation of Conductive Composites by in situ Polymerization of Polypyrrole in Ionomer-Based Matrices, Christina de Jesus, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A.Weiss

Studies on Polycarbonate-modified epoxies, Trong-Ming Don, Ph.D., Advisor: J.P. Bell

End Tethered Polymers, Charles Laub, M.S., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Property Changes in Nylon Polymers Induced by Blending with Small Concentrations of Polymeric Diluent, Fiona J. Leek, Ph.D., Advisor: H.D. Keith

Determination of the MWD from the Viscosity Data of Polymer Melts, Yongming Liu, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

Mixed Monolayer and Multilayer Films of Functionally Terminated Oligomers: Design of Superstructures, Jerry Pickering, Ph.D., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Absorption and Removal of Contaminants from Recycled High Density Polyethylene, Elizabeth Dale Wyatt Klingelhofer, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

A Mechanistic Approach to the Synthesis of Biomimetic Polymer-Inorganic Hybrids, Sukun Zhang, Ph. D., Advisor: K.E. Gonsalves

Characterization of Ionomer Solutions in Non-polar Solvents, Kaushik Chakrabarty, Ph.D., R.A. Weiss

Microstructure and Microphase Behavior of Styrene Block Coploymers and their Sulfonated Ionomers. Sudhir Mani, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

Multicomponent Polymers Containing Poly(Lactic Acid) John Onyari, Ph.D., Advisor: S.J. Huang

Cure Characterization of a Bismaleimide/diallypisphenol - A Thermoset Resin John Phelan, M.S., Advisor: C.S.P. Sung

1995

The Phase Structure and Phase Behavior of Polymer Blends Undergoing Simple Shear Flow, Zheng Chen, Ph.D., Advisor: M.T. Shaw

The Use of End Functional Block Copolymers for Controlled Adhesion, Debora Duch, M.S., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Interfacial Modification and Compatibilization of Polymer Blends by Complexation, Yi Feng, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

Analysis and Characterization of Polymer Blends, Yacob Ghebremeskel, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

Electrorheological fluids Featuring Rodlike Particles, Rex Kanu, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

Toughening of Epoxy Resin by Catalyzed Reaction with Polycarbonate, Chantima Prateepasane, Ph.D., Advisor: J.P. Bell

Lower Critical Solution Temperature Phase Behavior of End-Functional Polystyrene/Poly(vinyl methyl ether), Paul Schacht, M.S., Advisor: J.T. Koberstein

Compatibilization of Aromatic Liquid Crystal Polymers with Polycarbonate via transesterification by in situ reactive blending, Mark J. Stachowski, Ph.D., Advisor: A.T. DiBenedetto

Chain Conformation and Thermal History Effects of Thermotropic Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers, Susan K. Yarmey, Ph.D., Advisor: R.A. Weiss

Polymerization of and Characterization of Dially-Vinyl Networks based on CR 39 Laura Le Barron, Ph.D., Advisor: S.J. Huang

Synthesis of Biodegradable Polyamides Containing Amino Acid Linkages, Perminus Mungara, Ph.D., Advisor: K. Gonsalves

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