Education:
B.S. (Chem.), California State University, 1969Ph.D. (Chem.), University of Southern California, 1973.
Also:
Director, Macromolecular Science and Engineering CenterSee Also:
Research Interests:
Major research areas for the Laine Materials Chemistry Research Group include the synthesis and processing of inorganic and organometallic polymers (IOPs). Polymers are synthesized in one or two steps from simple starting materials including minerals such as silica sand and bauxite. These polymers are then processed into shapes such as fibers, films or membranes and pyrolytically transformed into the corresponding ceramic shapes. The mechanisms of decomposition and their impact on microstructural evolution are examined. The effects of processing conditions on mechanical, optical and electronic properties are also subjects of interest. In some instances, the object of the IOP syntheses are molecular or nanocomposite polymer materials for diverse applications, e.g. dental restoratives. Much of the work involves using IOPs developed and made directly from silica sand or alumina. A running theme throughout our work is:Chemicals, Polymers and Ceramics from the Beach.