Nicholas Pietra

Experience

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  The Pennsylvania State University State College, PA

  Aug 2015 - May 2019

  Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

  Conducted a systematic study on Lewis acid-base adduct formation between polymer substituents with the goal to develop polymeric frustrated Lewis pairs for carbon sequestration applications.Synthesized and purified air-sensitive polymers in a glovebox.Characterized the product using SEC, DSC, and TGA to determine the molecular weight of the polymer and the polymer’s thermal properties.Performed 1D NMR spectra tuned to 11B and 31P nuclei at variable temperature to determine the temperature dependence of the adduct formation. Show less

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  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA

  Jan 2019 - now

  Graduate Research Assistant, MII and Department of Chemistry

  Executed a systematic study on lithium-loaded solid polymer electrolytes using 1D NMR and PFG NMR diffusometry to investigate ion and polymer chain dynamics over a wide temperature range.Quantified transport dynamics over wide temperature ranges for a variety of newly developed polymer electrolytes.Developed ion-gel electrolytes using rigid-rod polymers and ionic liquids for energy storage applications.