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Dr. Gupta's research is directed mainly at understanding
the (non-Newtonian) flow behavior of polymer solutions, polymer melts,
solid-in-liquid suspensions and emulsions. In addition to explaining
observed phenomena, the knowledge gained is of use in modeling operations
used to process these materials. Consequently, one can relate process
conditions to structure and the structure to properties. This allows one to
engineer materials with enhanced properties. Such an approach has been
employed to examine and modify such diverse materials as fiber-reinforced
plastics, lubricants, wall joint compounds, thermal grease, ceramic
slurries and polymer plastic blends. Current work is related to the
recycling of Polymers from end-of-life electronic applications. Rheological methods can also be used for determining
the mechanical properties of solid polymers, and these techniques are being
employed as non-destructive means of following the phenomenon of material
aging. The goal here is to predict the durability of polymeric composites
used for infrastructure applications. Also being examined is the role of
coupling agents in fiber/martrix adhesive in
polymer composites.
Selected
Publications
A.P.
Shah, R.K. Gupta, H.V.S. GangaRao and C.E.
Powell, “Moisture diffusion through vinyl ester nanocomposites
made with montmorillonite clay,” Polym. Eng.
Sci., 42, 1852-1863 (2002).
S. Agarwal and R.K. Gupta, “An innovative
extensional viscometer for low-viscosity and low-elasticity liquids,”
Rheol. Acta, 41,
456-460 (2002).
A.D. Drozdov, J. deC.
Christiansen, R.K. Gupta and A.P. Shah, “Model for anomalous moisture
diffusion through a polymer-clay nanocomposite,”
J. Polym. Sci.: Part B:
Polym. Phys., 41, 476-492 (2003).
A. Ait-Kadi, M. Grmela, R.K.
Gupta and V. Zmievski, “Rheological
measurements and modeling of noncolloidal
particulate suspensions,” Chapter 5 in G. Shonaike
and S.G. Advani (Eds.), Advanced Polymeric
Materials: Structure Property Relationships, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp.
181-208 (2003).
H.T. Rana, R.K. Gupta, H.V.S. GangaRao
and L.N. Sridhar, “Measurement of moisture diffusivity through
layered-silicate nanocomposites,” AIChE J., 51, 3249-3256 (2005).
A. Al-Mulla and R.K. Gupta, “Recycling mixed plastics
from end-of-life electronics,” Proc. SPE Global Plastics
Environmental Conference, Feb 28 - March 2, 2006, Atlanta, GA
(Paper E2 on CD).
L.N.
Sridhar, R.K Gupta and M. Bhardwaj, “Barrier
properties of polymer nanocomposites,”
I&EC Res., 45, 8282-8289 (2006).
S.-K. Yeh, A. Al-Mulla and R. K.
Gupta, “Effect of coupling agent on the properties of PNC-based
wood/plastic composites,” J. Polym. Eng.,
26, 783-804 (2006).
M.C. Costache, M.J. Heidecker, E.
Manias, R.K. Gupta and C.A. Wilkie, “Benzimidazolium surfactants for modification of clayus for use with styrenic
polymers,” Polym. Degradation Stability,
92, 1753-1762 (2007).
M.C. Costache, M.J. Heidecker, E.
Manias, G. Camino, A. Frache, G. Beyer, R.K. Gupta and C.A. Wilkie, “The influence of carbon nanotubes, organically modified montmorillonites
and layered double hydroxides on the thermal degradation and fire retardancy of polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate
copolymer and polystyrene,” Polymer, 48, 6532-6545 (2007).
Q. Liu,
D. DeKee and R.K. Gupta, “Models of
moisture diffusion through vinyl ester/clay nanocomposites,
AIChE J., 54, 364-371 (2008).
D.
Song, W. Zhang, E.G. Melby and R.K. Gupta, “An
instrumented mixer setup for making tackifier
dispersions used to make pressure-sensitive adhesives,” Meas. Sci. Technol., 19, 045801/1-045801/9
(2008).
D.L. Statler, Jr. and R.K. Gupta, “Relating nanoclay dimensions and arrangement to barrier
properties of polymer nanocomposites,”
Proc. Soc. Plast. Eng.
ANTEC, May 4-7, 2008, Milwaukee,
WI, pp 163-167.
S.-K. Yeh and R.K. Gupta, “Improved wood-plastic
composites through better processing,” Composites: Part A, 39,
1694-1698 (2008).
D.L. Statler, Jr. and R.K. Gupta, “A finite element
analysis of the modeling of heat release rate, as assessed by a Cone
Calorimeter, on barrier properties of char forming polycarbonate,”
Proc. COMSOL Conference, October 9-11, 2008, Boston, MA.
Patents
S. Iruvanti, R.K. Gupta and E. Ruckenstein,
"Stable, high solids, high thermal conductivity pastes," U.S.
Patent 5,098,609 (Issued: March 24, 1992).
R.K. Gupta and S. Agarwal, “A
sensitive, spin-line type extensional viscometer for mobile liquids
employing very small liquid volumes.” U.S. patent No. 7,114374 issued
October 3, 2006.
S.K. Gaggar, R.K. Gupta, T.-W. Liu, S. Agarwal
and A. Al-Mulla, Flame retardant resinous
compositions and process, Application, serial number 12/022420, filed with
U.S. Patent office on January 30, 2008.
Books
R.K. Gupta, “Polymer
and Composite Rheology," 2nd rd.,
Revised and Expanded, Marcel Dekker, New
York, 2000, 390 pp. ISBN # 0-8247-9922-4
A. Kumar and R.K. Gupta, "Fundamentals of Polymer
Engineering," 2nd ed., Revised and Expanded, Marcel
Dekker, New York,
2203, 693 pp. ISBN # 0-8247-0867-9.
R.K. Gupta, E.B. Kennel and K.-J. Kim (Eds.), Polymer Nanocomposites Handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL,
2008. ISBN #0849397774.
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