Dr. Jaime Grunlan has been honored with the prestigious status of Fellow by the American Chemical Society (ACS), joining a select group of researchers recognized for their exceptional contributions to the science or profession of chemistry.
Article highlights recent developments by PNC Laboratory in flame retardant coatings for wood presented at ACS Spring 2022.
CBC Radio One’s Quirks & Quarks, hosted by Bob McDonald, spotlights innovative photopolymerized wood flame retardant in an interview with PNC graduate Dr. Thomas Kolibaba.
The American Chemical Society highlighted recent efforts in photopolymerized flame retardant coating for wood with a press conference featuring Dr. Thomas Kolibaba and Dr. Jaime Grunlan.
Thin-film coatings on materials that act as repellents against bacteria are nothing new. Indeed, with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, other strategies to mitigate the spread of such pathogens have long been the focus of researchers. Such thin films are usually polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), which are traditionally deposited onto a desired surface layer-by-layer, allowing for […]
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — A Texas A&M doctor is working to develop new non-toxic protective nanocoatings to the clothes worn by our military servicemen and women while serving around the world. Dr. Jaime Grunlan is applying water-based nanocoatings to military clothing with the hopes of adding protecting properties to military clothes. The nanocoating, which includes […]
Thomas Kolibaba (’20) was awarded the NIST National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, funding his postdoctoral research at NIST in Boulder, Colorado following graduation. Natalie Vest (’24) was awarded the Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, an award that offers full research and education funding, as well as internship opportunities […]
Voices of America special on our organic thermoelectric composites
Article that highlights PNC lab’s partnership with Sandia to fabricate nanocomposites that prevent corrosion on solar cells.
Article on gas barrier nanocoatings fabricated using water-based solution featured in Advanced Science News.
Work on synthetic melanin highlighted in Chemical & Engineering News
“the eight-time rugby champions were looking for was someone to help them develop a technology that would allow their players to power sensors contained in their jersey”
Efforts have been made to introduce environmental friendly flame retardants on commercial products. Examples include nanocoatings for polyurethane foams and for fabrics being researched by Jaime Grunlan, of the Polymer Nanocomposites Lab at Texas A&M University in the US. Grunlan has demonstrated it is possible to protect cotton with alternating nanolayers of chitosan and phytic acid. […]
PNC Lab developed nano coatings consists polyvinylsulfonic acid (PVS) and chitosan can prevent the spread of flames on foams used in home furnishings. Moreover the 30-nm-thick film increases the weight of the foam by just 5.5% and doesn’t alter the foam’s stiffness.
A new fire-retardant coating suppresses flames without the toxic effects of some commercially used flame retardants. Torch a piece of furniture foam that’s been dipped in the coating and the flame smolders and snuffs out, new experiments show.The new coating creates a blanket of heavy gas that starves the fire of oxygen.
New coating could protect furniture without causing health concerns
PNC Lab’s technology involves covering every microscopic fiber in a fabric with a thin composite coating of two polymers that exhibit an intumescent effect, producing a protective carbon foam coating when exposed to high temperatures.
Promising alternative packaging engineered by materials scientists in the Polymer NanoComposites Lab suggests “nano-bricks” offer the solution of longer shelf life and superior food preservation.
Article written by the New York Times about the exciting materials research happening at the PNC Lab, and Dr. Grunlan’s push for the values of academic research and higher education in Texas.
