Material Technologies

Mission

The mission of the Materials Technologies Group is to develop specialty advanced materials and processes for aerospace, medical, and defense applications. The group combines a wide range of expertise to provide state of the art chemistries, materials, devices and systems. A few examples are provided here.

Scanning Electron Microscope image of a tow composed of 3 micron diameter PAN fibers produced by near field electrospinning		Structures of molecules synthesized at PSI for propulsion and battery programs
Optical Microscope image of nanostructured Metal Organic Frameworks used for multiple advanced technologies, including water purification, CWA catalysis and Li ion batteries
		Transmission Electron Microscope images of the conversion of electrospun PAN nanofiber to SWNT

 Core Competencies

The Materials Technologies group core competences include a broad range of materials science from organic synthesis to device fabrication and characterization. Fields of expertise include electrochemical sciences (battery science, electrochromics, electrolyte chemistry, fuel cells, pLEDs, multifunctional and 3D energy storage); nanotechnology (electrospinning, CNT nanofiber and tow production, metal organic hybrid materials); materials chemistry (energetic materials, polymer chemistry, and materials formulation) and polymer technology (polymer processing, device fabrication, electrospun membrane modeling and testing, and high performance polymers).

Current Research Thrusts Include:

• Novel Oxidizers for Solid Propellants
  - Sponsor: AFRL, Edwards AFB, CA
  
  - Objective: Evaluate a range of novel furazan based oxidizers with high performance and clean combustion (chlorine free).

• Fast Mass Transport Media for Water Purification
  - Sponsor: DARPA/DSO MANTRA Program
  
  - Objective: Develop and demonstrate novel nanotechnology based reverse osmosis membranes for sea water desalination. PSI participates in a team to provide portable water purification system
  
  
   

Area Leadership

Dr. John Lennhoff

The Materials Technology Area is led by Dr. John D. Lennhoff who has over 25 years experience in a wide range of applied chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science fields including catalysis, batteries and fuel cells, electrospinning, space durable polymers, carbon nanotubes, composite membranes, engineered particles, composite armor, energetic chemistry and electroactive materials.

Contact

John D. Lennhoff
Physical Sciences Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810-1077

Telephone: (978) 689-0003
Fax: (978) 689-3232
lennhoff@psicorp.com