Paul Armistead manages the Functional Polymeric and Organic Materials basic research program at ONR's Naval Materials Division. (Photo: ONR)
The following is a transcript from the Office of Naval Research’s online Tech Talk series. Dr. J. Paul Armistead, program officer in ONR’s Naval Materials Division, answered questions from audiences on Facebook and Twitter on Oct. 6.
Armistead manages the Functional Polymeric and Organic Materials basic research program – which currently has interests in novel dielectric materials for high-density energy storage, organic photovoltaics and nontoxic antifouling coatings for ship hulls – as well as an applied research and development program in Advanced Shipboard Seawater Desalination.
Prior to joining ONR in 2000, Armistead worked in the Naval Research Laboratory Chemical Division, where he conducted research on composite interfaces, high-temperature composites and polymer crystallization kinetics. He received his bachelor and master degrees in chemical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or VA Tech, and a doctorate degree in materials science from Johns-Hopkins University.
Editors’ Note: The following transcript includes questions submitted earlier on Facebook and Twitter, and e-mailed directly to ONR.
Event Transcript
Chris Harding: I remember learning a bit about reverse osmosis membranes in college as a chemical engineering student. From my understanding, fouling and “plasticizing” are two of the worse problems and each affects the voids differently. Is this correct?
Chris Harding: I may be using the wrong term, “plasticizing,” but it is the diffusion of a compound or elemental atom into the spaces between the polymers that, if a chemical reaction takes place, can cause a hardening of the membrane and reduce the overall effectiveness because of tears. What type of polymer systems are you using?
Patricia Nevins Kime: I believe ONR issued a 2010 CNR Challenge to solicit white papers on this topic. What kind of feedback have you received and can you discuss the most promising proposals?
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