Description

This fellowship opportunity supports research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focused on advancing methodologies to characterize degradation and predict the service life of polymeric materials such as coatings, plastics, and sealants across various industries. The research aims to generate quantitative data and develop verifiable mathematical models that relate laboratory degradation tests to real-world field performance.

Key research areas include:

• Developing methodologies for service life prediction of polymeric materials.
• Improving characterization techniques for polymer degradation.
• Creating mathematical models to quantify degradation of coatings and related materials.
• Correlating laboratory test results with field data.
• Designing accelerated testing protocols.
• Identifying degradation mechanisms and kinetics under environmental weathering factors such as ultraviolet light, humidity, temperature, and mechanical strain.
• Investigating photodegradation under combined environmental and mechanical stresses.
• Conducting in-situ measurements of water at the polymer/substrate interface.

This research is critical for enhancing the reliability and durability predictions of polymeric materials used in applications like building materials, photovoltaic components, paints, and sealants.

The fellowship is hosted within the Engineering Laboratory, Materials and Structural Systems Division at NIST, located in Gaithersburg, Maryland.