UMass Amherst

Alan J. Lesser

Associate Professor, Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering
A316 Conte, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-9292
(413) 577-1316
ajl@polysci.umass.edu
http://www.pse.umass.edu/~alesser/

Deformation and fracture of polymers and composites; nano and molecular composites

The research initiatives in our group focus on determining what basic molecular, morphological, and physical characteristics govern the engineering performance of polymers and polymer-based composites.

Research Interest Potential Application
Nano and molecular composites Structural micromechanics of nanocomposites in complex stress states

Honors and Awards

  • Editor, Polymer Composites Journal , Society of Plastics Engineers
  • Associate Editor, Polymer Engineering and Science Journal , Society of Plastics Engineers
  • Elected Chair on Composites, Gordon Conferences, 2006
  • Elected Vice Chair on Composites, Gordon Conferences, 2004
  • Chair, Failure Analysis and Prevention Special Interest Group, Society of Plastics Engineers
  • NTEC 2003, Chair
  • OMNOVA Solutions Foundation Signature University Award for Outstanding Research, 2001

Publications

  1. "On the Phenomena of Deformation and Neck Formation in LLDPE Films Subjected to Uniaxial and Biaxial Loading Conditions (with A. B. Sabbagh), J. Polym. Sci.: Part B: Polym. Phys. 37, 2651 (1999).
  2. "Evaluation of Short Term-High Temperature Intensity Thermal Degradation of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Laminates to Ultrasonic Spectroscopy" (with G. T. Schueneman and T. R. Hobbs), J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 37, 18 (1999).
  3. "Evaluation of the Yield Behavior and Energy Absorbing Mechanisms in Rubber Modified Epoxies Subjected to Multi-Axial Stress States (with R. Kody), Polym. Comp. 20, 250 (1999).
  4. "Effective Volume Changes during Fatigue and Fracture of Polyacetal, Polymer Engineering and Science" 36, 2366-2373 (1996).
  5. "Brittle to Ductile: Fracture Toughness Mapping on Controlled Epoxy Networks (with E. Crawford), Polym. Eng. Sci. 39, 385 (1999).