Jocelyn K. Gardner

Jocelyn K. Gardner is an American materials scientist and chemical engineer recognized for her research in advanced polymer composites and sustainable materials. She is a faculty member in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware and holds affiliations with the University of Delaware Energy Institute. Her work focuses on the design and processing of multifunctional nanocomposites for applications in energy and environmental sustainability.

Early life and education

Gardner completed her undergraduate studies in Chemical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. She subsequently earned her Ph.D. in Materials science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where her doctoral research was conducted under the guidance of prominent scholars in the field of Polymer science. Her graduate work, supported by a fellowship from the National Science Foundation, laid the foundation for her expertise in the structure-property relationships of complex Polymer blends.

Career

Following her Ph.D., Gardner conducted postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, working within the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. She then joined the faculty of the University of Delaware as an assistant professor. At UD, she established a research group investigating novel processing techniques for Nanocomposite materials. She has served on several committees within the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and has been an active participant in conferences organized by the Materials Research Society.

Research and contributions

Gardner's primary research contributions are in the development of Polymer nanocomposites with tailored electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. A significant portion of her work involves utilizing Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction to characterize the morphology of materials processed under controlled conditions. Her group has published influential studies on the use of Carbon nanotubes and Graphene in creating lightweight, high-strength composites for potential use in Aerospace engineering and Renewable energy systems. More recently, her research has expanded into the realm of Sustainable materials, focusing on Bio-based polymers and recycling strategies for complex multilayer films, contributing to the broader goals of the Circular economy.

Awards and honors

Gardner's research has been recognized with several prestigious awards. She is a recipient of the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, which supports her work on interfacial design in nanocomposites. She has also received the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award for studies related to advanced materials for naval applications. Furthermore, she was honored with the American Chemical Society PRF Doctoral New Investigator grant and the University of Delaware College of Engineering's Outstanding Junior Faculty Award.

Personal life

Gardner maintains a private personal life. She is known to be an advocate for STEM education and frequently participates in outreach programs at the University of Delaware aimed at encouraging young women to pursue careers in Engineering and the Physical sciences.

Category:American materials scientists Category:University of Delaware faculty Category:21st-century American engineers