Student conducts 'super plastics' research with alumnus

Wed, July 22, 2009 |

A Valparaiso University student is gaining first-hand research experience with an alumnus this summer at a national research center where the U.S. space program started and Speedo developed a faster swimsuit being worn by many of the world's top swimmers.

Windy Santa Cruz, a senior chemistry major from Fall Creek, Wis., is working at NASA's Langley Research Center with alumnus Rob Bryant, a materials engineer who holds several patents in the area of high performance polymers, to study "super plastics" known as polyimides – versatile materials that are lightweight, flexible, and heat and chemical resistant.

"My research at NASA's Langley Research Center includes the synthesis and characterization of high performance, highly versatile polyimide films," Santa Cruz said. "The polyimides have excellent structural properties which allow for their use in mechanical, electrical and chemical applications."

After changing the location of certain functional groups on the monomers (small molecules that chemically bond to form polymers), Santa Cruz said she investigates the different properties of the resulting polyimides.

"These new polyimides should outperform other commercial products and can be used as composites, bagging materials, adhesives, wear-resistant parts and wire insulation," she said.

The summer experience at Langley Research Center is giving her an opportunity to work with a Valpo alumnus who is a leading researcher in the field of "super plastics." Bryant led the NASA team that patented LaRC-SI, a new polymer with exceptional mechanical and processing properties that was selected as a 1995 R&D Magazine 100 award winner as one of the 100 most important patents in the world for the year. Developed for an aerospace high-speed research program, LaRC-SI also is used in an implantable device for heart failure patients.

"There is nothing like 'hands on' research experience, and working in a different environment that exposes a student to different things while requiring them to apply their education to solve problems for real situations," said Bryant.

Santa Cruz previously has been involved in Valpo research projects assessing the water quality of the Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed and the characterization of metal-reducing enzymes in algae that could be helpful in containing radioactive contaminants in the ground. After taking a materials chemistry class during the past academic year, she asked the professor of the course, Dr. Thomas Goyne, about summer research opportunities and was connected with Bryant.

"Materials chemistry is a broad subject with lots of exciting options for research," Santa Cruz said. "I am meeting some amazing people here at Langley who are headed in all different directions. It's been great to meet everyone and do a bit of networking with new friends and current NASA employees."

Since joining NASA's Langley Research Center, Bryant has worked to open research experiences for Valpo undergraduates, and Santa Cruz is the fifth to work in his lab.

Bryant noted that a slow economy to global competition have made the job market more challenging today than it was when he graduated from Valpo 25 years ago.

"In order to succeed in this type of environment, you need several things," he said. "One, a strong ego that does not resist challenges to the 'What if?' Two, a patient, methodical approach to work that includes always asking questions. Three, a creative mind with the ability to listen. And, four, external people that are willing to help you. These are things that a good mentorship should provide and develop in a young person that are beyond 'just the summer job'."

Santa Cruz's time at Langley will end on Aug. 7, but she will continue working on a report about her summer research findings throughout the fall semester. She says the opportunity to develop her research skills and have conversations with people who work in the field have been very beneficial in pursuing her career goals.

"My plan is to go to graduate school and get a Ph.D. in chemistry," she said. "This summer has been invaluable in getting very helpful advice from Dr. Bryant and other NASA personnel about schools and success in general."