The Fall 2022 MatSE 590 for graduate students consists of an exciting and jam-packed schedule. MATSE 590 is a colloquium (1-3 credits) consist of a series of individual lectures by faculty, students, or outside speakers.
Graduate students will receive a weekly email with information via @psu.edu email. Graduate students are required to attend all 590 Seminars. If you have any questions, please email GradOffice@matse.psu.edu.
October 6, 2022
“A New Shape Memory Rubber with Reconfigurable Matrix and Elastomeric Fibers”
Patrick T. Mather, Dean, Schreyer Honors College, Professor, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Penn State
Abstract
Shape memory elastomeric composites (SMECs) are soft, smart materials composed of two phases: fibers and matrix. When combined, the resulting composite provides two functions critical to shape memory behavior: temporary shape-fixing and elastic memory. In the past, researchers have utilized the fiber phase for shape fixing and the matrix phase for memory. Here, we invert the roles of each phase such that the matrix is now the fixing phase. This is possible by using an elastomeric matrix whose constituent network chains are thermally labile through anhydride bond exchange. This same matrix is rapidly biodegradable in water, which is important for some biomedical applications. For the present study, a fibrous web of thermoplastic elastomer, Pellethane, was imbibed with an anhydride-based reactive precursor that was crosslinked to form an elastomeric polyanhydride (PAH) matrix. We will present preliminary results showing new shape memory characteristics, including degradation-triggered shape change. Future work will investigate drug delivery from the new materials, wherein the drug to be released can be sequestered in either the Pellethane fibers, the PAH matrix, or both.
Biographical Information
Patrick T. Mather earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Penn State in Engineering Science and Engineering Mechanics, respectively, and was a member of the University Scholars Program. He went on to receive his doctorate degree in Materials at U.C. Santa Barbara in 1994. He then worked for the Air Force Research Lab until 1999, focusing on polymeric nanocomposites. His academic career has included positions at the University of Connecticut, Case Western Reserve University, and Syracuse University, where he led the creation of Syracuse Biomaterials Institute as its first director. In 2015, Dr. Mather enjoyed a sabbatical at Army Research Lab’s Macromolecular Science and Technology Branch, where he conducted research on the design of polymeric materials for improved performance in extreme environments. Subsequently, he was recruited to serve as the Richard E. Garman Dean of Engineering at Bucknell University, a position held from 2016-2021.
At Bucknell, he led the establishment of a values-based strategic plan, following which the college has expanded student success programs with focus on first-year experience and enhanced undergraduate research opportunities. He created a new advisory council, oversaw construction of a third building, launched multiple interdisciplinary programs with other colleges at Bucknell, and established a working group for an inclusive engineering community that has launched four inclusion initiatives.
In June 2021, Dr. Mather was appointed Dean of the Schreyer Honors College following a national search. With this return to his academic home, he is excited to advance the College’s academic mission via its comprehensive strategic plan while engaging directly with students. In addition to this administrative role, he is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and will direct a research group that continues his long-term focus on smart polymeric materials.
Dr. Mather enjoys traveling the world to give scientific lectures and has delivered more than 200 invited lectures to date. He is married to Tara Mather and enjoys their blended family of five children. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, distance running, and road cycling.