Deformation Induced Bonding

This work, led by (now Dr.!) Ajay Vallabh, is predominantly on simulation of the very rapid (even less than a second timeframe!) bonding of polymeric films by a rapid compression. This induced macromolecular interpenetration across the interface and creates the opportunity for opposite-side entanglements on a timescale orders of magnitude faster than inter diffusion by classic reptation. Moreover, this process is performed sub Tg in the glassy state to allow plastic deformation and robustness of the formed new interface.