Polymer Nanostructures Lab
Director: Evangelos Manias
Materials Science & Eng dept.
325-D Steidle Bldg.
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802


Kenneth E. Strawhecker, Ph.D. 2002

Ph.D. (1998-2002, defended: March 15, 2002)
AFM Studies of Semicrystalline Polymer/Inorganic Nanocomposites (Ph.D. thesis)

Current Coordinates
Senior Researcher
US Army Research Lab (ARL/WMRD)
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
e-mail: kenneth.strawhecker@arl.army.mil


Publications from Strawhecker's research in our group:

  1. E. Manias, M. Rackaitis, K. Strawhecker
    Method for control of temperature-sensitivity of polymers in solution
    U.S. Patent 7,011,930 (2006)

  2. E. Manias, M. Rackaitis, K. Strawhecker
    Method for control of temperature-sensitivity of polymers in solution
    U.S. Patent 6,974,660 (2005)

  3. K. Strawhecker, and E. Manias
    Crystallization Behavior of Poly(ethylene oxide) in the Presence of Na+ Montmorillonite Fillers
    Chemistry of Materials, 15, 844-849 (2003).

  4. M. Rackaitis, K. Strawhecker, and E. Manias
    Water Soluble Polymers with Tunable Temperature-Sensitivity: Solution Behavior
    J. Polym. Sci. B: Polym. Phys. 40, 2339-2342 (2002) (special issue, Rapid Communication).

  5. K. Strawhecker, E. Manias
    AFM studies of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Crystallization Next to an Inorganic Surface
    Macromolecules, 34, 8475-8482 (2001).

  6. (Invited Review)
    E. Manias, A. Touny, L. Wu, K. Strawhecker, B. Lu, T.C. Chung
    Polypropylene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites:
    A Review of Synthetic Routes and Materials Properties.
    Chemistry of Materials, 13(10), 3516-3523 (2001)
    Invited review for Special Nanocomposite Issue, Oct 2001
    [Abstract]       [Full text PDF]       [Cover]

  7. K. E. Strawhecker and E. Manias
    Structure and Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Na Montmorillonite Nanocomposites
    Chemistry of Materials, 12, 2943-2949 (2000).

  8. E. Manias, A. Touny, L. Wu, B. Lu, K. Strawhecker, J.W. Gilman, T.C. Chung
    Polypropylene/Silicate Nanocomposites, Synthetic Routes and Materials Properties
    Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering, 82, 282 (2000)

  9. C. A. Fonesca, K. E. Strawhecker, E. Manias, I. R. Harrison.
    Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Sodium Montmorillonite Nanocomposites.
    ANTEC Proc., Orlando, Florida, pp. 2416-2422 (2000)


GROUP  PUBLICATIONS: