Polyurethane Based Nanocomposites

Thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyurethane-ureas, polyureas (TPUs) constitute one of the most important and versatile classes of thermoplastic elastomers. TPUs are segmented copolymers containing alternating hard and soft segments along a linear macromolecular backbone. Segmented TPUs generally display two-phase morphology, where hard segments act as reinforcing fillers in a continuous soft matrix. The soft segments in TPUs originate from hydroxyl or amine terminated oligomers with glass transition temperatures (Tg) well below room temperature, such as aliphatic polyethers and aliphatic polyesters, whereas the hard segments consist of diisocyanate and a chain extender such as a low molecular weight diol or diamine. Availability of a very large selection of hard and soft segment constituents and different synthetic techniques provide opportunities for the preparation of a wide range of TPU backbone structures. Each of the soft and hard segments provides different physical and chemical properties to the TPUs prepared from them. In general, two different approaches can be used to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of TPUs; (I) alternating the molecular structure of polyurethane, (II) introducing inorganic filler to the polymer matrix. Our research mainly focuses on the investigation of critical design principles for the production of high performance TPUs in a close collaboration with Koc University. Along with this, we are particularly interested in the production of advanced functional nanocomposites consisting of TPU matrices and various inorganic fillers like silica nanoparticles. More specifically, the understanding of several interesting and challenging phenomena including glass transition, segmental dynamics, crystallization, micro-phase separation and polymer-filler interaction in such materials is of essential interest to our group.

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Green Composite Materials

Critical environmental and economical issues have been stimulating research in the mass production of sustainable materials for plastics market that favors low costs and high production rates for decades. Along with new industrial regulations and growing technological needs, green composite materials have attracted particular interest as promising alternatives to petrochemical based plastics and their composites. Using modular design approaches and processing techniques, we are interested in the production of high performance green composites along with the recycling of natural and/or synthetic thermoset wastes to create new horizons for the mass production of sustainable materials towards solving the world-wide waste disposal problem. In this regard, our research mainly focuses on the production of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based composites with enhanced mechanical properties like stiffness, strength and impact resistance.

• Silicone-Based, Synthetic Tissue And Organ Models For Surgical Simulation

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  Lack of cadavers and fresh tissue/organ models hinders the quality of medical education; therefore, there is a need for a reliable and sustainable training medium for evergrowing number of medical students and personnel. In Akbulut research group, we design silicone-based surgical models that are engineered to simulate mechanical responses of real organs to incision, dissection, and suturing. Until now, we have developed skin, breast, and vascular models. Different suturing techniques, benign mass removal, and complicated oncoplastic surgery can be practiced on these models. We aim to improve the quality of surgical trainings via practical, affordable, and tactile simulation platform. This research resulted in a spinoff company, Surgitate, which now sells these models in several countries.

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