Directory Record for:

Ronald C. Hedden

Title(s):

Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

Department:

Materials Science and Engineering

College/Admin. Unit:

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Office Address:

325C Steidle Building

University Park, PA 16802

Office Phone:

(814) 863-2325

Office Fax:

(814) 865-2917

E-Mail Address:

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Web Page(s):

http://www.matse.psu.edu/fac/profiles/hedden.htm

Research Synopsis:

Crosslinked polymer networks are soft materials that have applications ranging from automobile tires to biomedical materials to chemical sensors. Our research seeks to establish the molecular-level basis for mechanical and other properties of rubberlike polymer networks (elastomers) and solvent-swollen networks (gels). Currently we are studying hydrogels with highly branched junction architecture that may have superior mechanical properties that no other soft material can match.

Technologies Impacted by Research:

rubber technology, tissue engineering, drug delivery, sensors

Selected Publications:

�Characterization of Nanoporous Low-Dielectric Constant Thin Films by SANS Contrast Variation.� Hedden, R.C.; Lee, H.-J.; Bauer, B.J. Submitted to Langmuir 8/2003.
"Effects of Molecular Structure on Segment Orientation in Poly(diethylsiloxane) Elastomers. 2. NMR Measurements from Uniaxially Stretched Samples." Hedden, R.C.; Tachibana, H.; Duncan, T.M.; Cohen, C. Macromolecules 2001, 34, 5540-5546.
"Mechanical Properties and Swelling Behavior of Endlinked Poly(diethylsiloxane) Networks." Hedden, R.C.; Saxena, H.; Cohen, C. Macromolecules 2000, 33, 8676-8684.