| Abstract Scope |
In the last decade, tabletop shock wave compression using laser-driven impactors has gained considerable attention due to its simplicity, high throughput, versatility, and applicability, as shock compression introduces the high-pressure states of materials, providing insight into behavioral responses of condensed matter to aid in defense protection, such as blast mitigation technologies. This study will investigate various polymer nanocomposites to explore pressure-induced mechanochemical changes, potentially leading to better shock resistance, photophysical attributes, and novel pathways to band gap engineering. This work will characterize shock-compressed 3”x 3”x 0.25” glass plates with nanoparticle-reinforced polymer thin films coated on them using an Nd:YAG laser with 850 mJ energy per pulse. The composite materials will be analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. |