Alan Lesser

Polymers and polymer-based composites represent the largest and fastest-growing area of materials for engineering applications and new manufacturing methods that are technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable are needed to address today’s needs.  Our research involves engineering new classes of materials that can be processed sustainably in environmentally fashion to perform their necessary function.  These range from new chemistries for additive manufacturing (SLS, SLA, FDM), to processing in supercritical carbon dioxide and superheated water.

We also analyze failures that happen in polymers and determine underlying mechanisms and methods for future prevention. Methods like fractographic analysis, analytical methods to identify incompatible agents that promote environmental stress cracking, are taught and discussed.

Current research initiatives include:

• Self-reinforced polymer composites
• Novel composites and foams fabricated using supercritical carbon dioxide
• Processing in superheated water
• Pre-stressed polymer composites for enhanced energy absorption
• Structure-process-property studies in new polymeric materials
• High speed deformation and fracture
• Long-term durability and performance

Research Interests

Deformation and fracture of polymers and composites; Strength and Durability; Failure and Fractographic Analysis, and Environmental Stress Cracking of commercial systems. Impact modification of Engineering Polymers