There is extensive research being conducted by TMI faculty, students and researchers. Many of the areas of research are interdisciplinary, spanning the boundaries of Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, and Electrical Engineering. The following gives an indication of the scope of research activities and facilities. Polymer Synthesis and Processing Polymer synthesis is an important part of several research programs including new membrane materials, development of highly conjugated polymers as precursors for glassy carbon production, and for applications requiring electrical conductivity and development of formulations for electronics encapsulation. Synthesis is also a significant element of projects in energy transport, photophysics, non-linear optics, controlled drug delivery, photoresist materials, liquid crystalline polymers, polymer blends, biomaterials, dendrimers, polyelectrolytes and cellulose.
Several projects involve chemical modification or functionalization of existing polymers.
Polymer synthesis and characterization facilities are available in the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering departments. Polymer processing is a vital step common to many of these same studies. A substantial polymer processing and diagnostics facility is available in the Department of Chemical Engineering for support of polymer research. Several faculty have a long history of collaboration among faculty and students researching various aspects of polymer blends and block copolymers. Active research also focuses on the development of polymer blends and copolymers with special dielectric, thermal and mechanical properties for microelectronics applications, and self organization of block copolymers into micelles and other mesophases.