An undergraduate laboratory: The effect of nanoparticle microstructure on the electrical properties of polymer nanocomposites

Recent research into the effect of nanoparticle organization on the electrical properties of nanocomposite films was used to create a hands-on laboratory for undergraduate education in nanomanufacturing. Students created two composites using solvent-based solution and polymer emulsion to show that a non-random microstructure can produce the required electrical conductivity with less added nanoparticles. Students evaluated the materials by 4-point probe and scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2006 by ASME