Studying Colloidal Self-Assembly and Porous Solids with Small Angle Neutron Scattering
This project uses neutron scattering to study fluids in custom-made porous materials formed by self-assembling particles, aiming to improve industrial applications like coatings and absorbents.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $82,764 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Fellowship supporting postdoctoral research using small angle neutron scattering to study fluids in self-assembled colloidal porous materials for industrial applications.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a Ph.D. earned within the last 5 years; research conducted on-site at NIST Center for Neutron Research in Gaithersburg, MD.
Description
This fellowship opportunity supports research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research focused on understanding the properties of fluids (liquid and gas) confined within porous media. Fluids in porous materials exhibit significantly altered properties such as gas density, phase transitions, and diffusivity due to confinement effects. The project aims to develop model porous materials with pore sizes ranging from 1 nm to 10 µm by leveraging the self-assembly of colloidal particles to precisely control pore structures.
Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques will be employed to characterize the structure of these synthesized porous materials, guiding optimization efforts. The research will systematically investigate flow properties and phase behavior of gases, liquids, and protein solutions within these materials using neutron scattering tools available at NIST's Center for Neutron Research (NCNR).
Applications of this research include addressing challenges such as aging and cracking of porous materials, designing substrates that combine reaction and separation processes, developing absorbents for environmental remediation, and enhancing the wear resistance of paints and coatings.
