# CAREER: Mechanical Properties of Ultrathin Polymer Films

> **NSF 01002829DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Colorado at Boulder (CO) · $675,000

## Abstract

PART 1: NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
 
Many industrial applications rely upon strong and stable polymer thin films. Examples of applications include flexible (bendable) electronic devices, very thin plastic membranes for separation, or multilayer plastic films for protection. Such related technologies are critical for diverse uses in improving health monitoring and diagnosis, cleaning air and water, and increasing food shelf life and solar cell stability through barrier protection. Designing mechanically stable and thinner polymer films for these applications will lower the cost of materials, reduce the energy requirements for filtration, and decrease the amount of plastic ending up in landfills. However, when polymer materials are processed into thinner films, mechanical strength is known to change, but how those changes depend on temperature and how they attach to different substrates remains unclear. Using recently developed techniques, the PI will directly study the mechanical properties of ultrathin polymer films and provide new fundamental data and knowledge to guide the production of polymer materials for better adhesives, membranes, coatings, and many other technologies. The proposed research will provide a strong foundation for the education and training of graduate and undergraduate researchers. In addition to research efforts, new curriculum will be designed to inspire high school students across Colorado and Hawaiʻi to explore and pursue advanced degrees and careers in

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2440119
- **Awardee organization:** University of Colorado at Boulder (CO)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** SPVKK1RC2MZ3
- **PI:** Reed K Bay
- **Primary program:** 01002829DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, MATERIALS EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, NANO NON-SOLIC SCI & ENG AWD, Advanced Manufacturing, Nanomaterials
- **Estimated total:** $675,000
- **Funds obligated:** $264,141
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2025 → 06/30/2030

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2440119

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2440119, CAREER: Mechanical Properties of Ultrathin Polymer Films. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2440119. Licensed CC0.

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