Julia A. King

Biography

My research interests are in the area of composite materials. Specifically, my interests often focus on adding various carbon fillers to typically thermoplastic polymers to produce electrically and thermally conductive resins.

Increasing the thermal and electrical conductivities of typically insulating polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and nylon, has the potential of greatly increasing the market for these materials. A thermally conductive material is useful as a heat sink in applications such as lighting ballasts and transformer housings. An electrically conductive material can be used in static dissipative, slightly electrically conductive (e.g., fuel gages, etc.), or EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)/RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) shielding applications (computer and cellular phone housings, etc).

One approach to improving the thermal and electrical conductivities is through the addition of a conductive filler material. For example, adding synthetic graphite particles to nylon 6,6 increases the thermal conductivity from approximately 0.3 W/mK to 1.8 W/mK and decreases the electrical resistivity from approximately 10¹⁵ ohm-cm to 20 ohm-cm. Another application for  thermally and electrically conductive resins is for a bipolar plate for a fuel cell.

For more information see Dr. King’s website at: http://www.chem.mtu.edu/org/ctc/