Mircea Chipara
Professor
Ph.D. Institute for Atomic Physics, Bucharest, Romania (1996)
Office: Science Building, Room: 3.126, Edinburg Campus
Lab: Physical Science Building, Room: 1.156, Edinburg Campus
Phone: (cell phone) 956 605 5123
Email: mircea.chipara@utrgv.edu and chipara@yahoo.com
Teaching
Quantum Mechanics Part 2 (PHYS 4304.01i and 02i)
Mathematical Methods in Physics II (PHYS 3312.01i and 02i)
Laboratory Research - 53404 - PHYS 4101 - 01
Undergraduate Research
Office hours: Monday 13:00-16:00; Tuesday 10:00-11:00
Research
My research focuses on nanomaterials synthesis, modifications, characterization, and applications. The emphasize is on polymer-based nanocomposites where various nanomaterials are dispersed within complex macromolecular systems (polymer, polymer blends, block copolymers) to enhance the physical and chemical properties of the matrix and/or to trigger new properties or features. Additional research directions:
1. Self-healing of polymers.
2. Aging and degradation processes in materials and nanomaterials.
3. Phase transition in materials and nanomaterials.
4. Crystallization processes in materials confined at nanometer scale
5. Self-assembly of block copolymers and nanocomposites.
6. One dimensional systems (polymer and composite nanofibers).
7. Bio medical effect of nanomaterials.
8. Surface properties of materials and nanomaterials.
9. Ferroelectric, magnetic, and ferroic nanocomposites
10. Charge transport in nanocomposites.
Recent Publications
- R. Adhikari, M. Chipara, K. Lozano, Processing effects on the thermo-physical properties of carbon nanotube polyethylene composite, Materials Science And Engineering A-Structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing,: 526(1-2):123-127, 2009.
- Mircea Chipara, John R. Villarreal, Magdalena Dorina Chipara, Karen Lozano, Alin Cristian Chipara, David J. Sellmyer, Spectroscopic Investigations on Polypropylene - Carbon Nanofiber Composites: I. Raman and Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy, Journal of Polymer Science B: Polymer Physics, 47:1644-1651, 2009.
- M. Chipara, R. Skomski, N. Ali, D. Hui, D. J. Sellmyer, Magnetic Properties of Barium Ferrite Dispersed Within Polystyrene-Butadiene-Styrene Block Copolymers, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 9, (6):3678-3683, 2009.