DEPARTMENT OF POLYMER ENGINEERING NEWSLETTER | SUMMER 2011

The Annual Technical Meeting (ANTEC) of the Society of Plastics Engineers

(SPE) was held May 1-5, 2011, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

True to past years, the Department of Polymer Engineering hosted an

evening reception for alumni, industrial contacts, current faculty and students on

Tuesday, May 3, in the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Over hors d’oeuvres and drinks,

attendees were able to network, socialize, meet old friends, and, in general, catch

up on the latest news of the department.

During the convention, the Polymer Engineering Student Organization (PESO)

received the 2011 SPE Outstanding Student Chapter Award. Presented at the

Student Awards Luncheon, the honor was picked up by doctoral student, Eric

McClanahan, on behalf of PESO.

In addition, the late Dr. James L. White was one of five posthumous inductees into

the Plastics Hall of Fame, the highest honor awarded in the plastics industry by

the Plastics Academy of Washington, D.C., in a ceremony held during ANTEC.

He was recognized for his fundamental research on the impact of processing on

polymer structures and properties. That work helped establish polymer processing

as an academic discipline. White was also recognized for founding the Polymer

Processing Society, as well as two professional journals: The Journal of

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From left, Xueyan Wang, Dr. Chang MinHong (2005), Dr. Nam Hyung Kim (2009)and Dr. Jin-Woong Shin (2003).

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Front row, from left: Dr. Sadhan Jana, Dr. Avraam Isayev, Dr. Chengtao Li (2003), Dr. Soondeuk Jeung(2005), Dr. Feina Cao (2008), Dr. Robert Weiss, Dr. Haifeng Shan (2006) and Dr. Qibo Jiang (2008). Backrow, from left: Dr. Hao-Wen Chiu (1995/1998), Dr. Chang Min Hong (2005), Dr. Jushik “Jay” Yun (2003), Dr. Atanas Gagov (2007), Pritam Das (2004), Dr. Ho-Chul Jung (2004), Parimal “Perry” Vadhar (1985), Dr. Jin-Woong Shin (2003), Dr. Nam Hyung Kim (2009) and Dr. Chris Zook (2000).

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ANTEC 2011 by Sarah Thorley

Polymer Engineering and International

Polymer Processing; his prolific writing

of scientific publications and books; and

the founding of UA’s Department of

Polymer Engineering.

In 2012, ANTEC will be held April 2-4,

in conjunction with NPE in Orlando,

Fla. We are planning another alumni

get-together with details to be

announced later. So please start

planning now to attend the conference,

enjoy the Florida sunshine and take in

the magic of Disney. Orlando is a

perfect family destination so you can

combine business and pleasure! We

hope to see you there!

From left, Dr. Chengtao Li (2003), Dr. Avraam Isayev, Dr. Jushik “Jay” Yun(2003) and Dr. Chris Zook (2000).

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ANTEC

ANTEC 2011 Continued Mark Your Calendar

2011Aug. 28- American Chemical SocietySept. 1 (ACS) Fall National Meeting

Denver, Colo.

Oct. 13-15 Society of Women Engineers(SWE) Annual ConferenceChicago, Ill.

Oct. 16-21 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual MeetingMinneapolis, Minn.

Oct. 26-30 Society of HispanicProfessional Engineers (SHPE)Annual ConferenceAnaheim, Calif.

Nov. 11-17 American Society of MechanicalEngineers (ASME) International Mechanical EngineeringCongress & ExpositionDenver, Colo.

Nov. 28- Materials Research Society Dec. 2 (MRS) Fall Meeting

Boston, Mass.

2012March American Chemical Society 25-29 (ACS) Spring National Meeting

San Diego, Calif.

March 28 - National Society of BlackApril 1 Engineers (NSBE)

Annual ConventionPittsburgh, Pa.

April 2-4 Society of Plastics Engineers(SPE) Annual Technical Meeting(ANTEC) at NPE 2012Orlando, Fla.

April 3 Alumni Reception at ANTEC6–7:30 p.m.TBA

EditorsMark D. Soucek; Sarah Thorley

Connect With DPEPublished by the Department of Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron for DPE alumni, students, faculty, contract professionals, staff and friends.

From left, Emmanuel Pitia, Dr. Sadhan Jana,M. Reza Sadeghi (1987), Steve Brenno (2004) and Iani Manas.

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From left, Dr. Haifeng Shan (2006), Xiao Wang and Ying Shi.

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From left, Dr. Hao-Wen Chiu (1995/1998) and Dr. Orawan Taikum (1993/1998 polymer science).

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Dr. Feina Cao (2008) and Dr. Jaein Suh (2007).

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From left, Dr. Qibo Jiang (2008), Dr. AtanasGagov (2007) and Pritam Das (2004).

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ANTEC

ANTEC

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Alumni Focus: Dr. Ho-Sung “Edward” Park by Dr. Mark Soucek

at UA. One of the early graduate

students in the program, he remembers

making black and white slides in the

temporary darkroom of the Olson

Research Center. He also recalls that

the building (originally a warehouse)

had many partition walls, but not a

single classroom. However, Park

had a strong desire to learn and the

motivation to work with Kyu and

White and the other reputable faculty

members in the brand new department.

Today, as a senior staff chemist at

Freudenberg-NOK, Park’s many

accomplishments include leading

development, production and

commercialization of the ground

breaking FluoroXprene® fluorinated

thermoplastic elastomers and

vulcanizates for high demanding

automotive, chemical, oil and gas,

and general industry applications.

FluoroXprene® is a thermoplastically

processable elastomer-like material

with exceptional fluid resistance, good

thermal resistance and physical

properties without post cure, which

reduces cost and cycle time for the

customer. Areas of use include zero

permeation fuel hoses, zero emission

capless fuel filler door seals, amine and

high temperature resistant radial shaft

seals, ketone and alcohol resistant

chemical plant seals, high temperature

and strong chemical resistant oil and

gas pipe seals, and sub-zero

temperature air conditioning seals.

Currently, Park has more than 50 patent

applications, with 32 of these having

been granted by the U.S. Patent Office.

He has also contributed to foreign

Dr. Ho-Sung “Edward” Park received

a B.S. in Chemical Engineering at

Han-Yang University, Seoul, South

Korea; an M.S. in Chemical Engineering

at the University of Massachusetts; and

a Ph.D. in Polymer Engineering at The

University of Akron in 1990. He studied

under both Dr. Thein Kyu and Dr. James

L. White for his dissertation,

“Fundamental Studies on Processing,

Characterization and Properties of

Poly-p-phenylene Terephthalamide/

Polyamide Molecular and Particulate

Composites.” From this work, Park had

three publications with his advisers. He

has used that knowledge, training and

experience to become a technology

leader of today in the field of fluorinated

thermoplastic elastomers and

thermoplastic vulcanizates.

Beginning his corporate career with

BASF Corporation in the areas of novel

fiber material and new fiber-related

product development, Park then

moved to Pfizer (formerly Warner-

Lambert) to work on novel starch-based

environmentally friendly biodegradable

thermoplastics. Later, he served at

Procter & Gamble (formerly Gillette)

in the area of novel thermoplastic

materials and in new consumer product

development for battery and shaving

products, most notably the innovative

Lubrastrip for use in the popular Mach

3 shaving system. In 2002, Park joined

Freudenberg-NOK in the field of high

performance elastomers and

materials and new commercial

product development.

Park credits his professional

achievements to the education,

training and experience he received

when he was in the doctoral program

Dr. Ho-Sung “Edward” Park�

patents in Germany and Japan for the

development of material and

commercial products. Park received

the coveted CEO Award from

Freudenberg-NOK in 2010 and was

selected as a finalist for the prestigious

PACE Award by Automotive News in

2011. He has had many scientific

publications in peer-reviewed journals

and presented numerous scientific

research papers at professional

meetings and conferences, including

at SPE TOPCON 2010 and CSC 2009

and 2010.

An enthusiast of tennis and jogging,

Park has one son and one daughter,

both of whom are pursuing medical

careers at the University of Michigan,

Ann Arbor.

Awards4

ALUMNI

Dr. Elif Alyamac (Ph.D. 2009)Accepted a position as product development specialist with AKSA in Yalova, Turkey.

Dr. Vardhan Bajpai (Ph.D. 2005)Received $750,000 in a Phase II award from the U.S.Air Force in February 2011 for his work on “Removal of Microbial Contamination from Aviation Fuel UsingMulti-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Filtration Media.”Bajpai is a project leader for fuel filtration and separation at Seldon Technologies in Windsor, Vt.

Dr. Hatice Duran (Ph.D. 2004)Accepted a position as assistant professor in the Institute of Micro and Nano Technology at TOBBEconomy and Technology University in Ankara, Turkey.

Dr. Francesca Fiorentini (Ph.D. 2004)Works as senior researcher/scientist at L’Isolante K-Flex in Roncello (Milan), Italy.

Dr. Yao-Tsung Fu (Ph.D. 2011)Accepted a position as a post-doc with Dr. Jean-LucBrèdas in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistryat Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

Dr. Andrew Guenthner (Ph.D. 2000)Was elected chair of the Mojave Desert Section of the American Chemical Society in January 2011.Guenthner is a senior chemical engineer at the U.S. Air Force Research Lab at Edwards Air ForceBase, Calif.

In late 2010, Guenthner, along with Dr. Steve Chambreau (co-founder of Chemists WithoutBorders), received a Local Section Innovation Grantfrom the American Chemical Society to develop andimplement a new type of recurring event for the membership — a “community science experiment”— linked to the celebration of the International Year of Chemistry. The first such event was held in March2011. Local section members, community college students, university professors from California andMaine and even some interested community membersall worked together to generate data that demonstrated the effectiveness of a prototype U.S.-manufactured, low-cost filtration system for removalof arsenic from groundwater.

Dr. Soma Guhahatkurta (Ph.D. 2009)Has joined GE Global Research in Bangalore, India, as a research scientist for polymer science and technology.

Min-Hyeon Han (M.S. 1990) Serves as senior executive vice president at NexenTire Corporation in Kyeongsangnam-Do, South Korea.

Suzette Iskander fields a question after her presentation inAbu Dhabi.

Suzette Iskander (M.S. 1994)Was invited by Ocean Rubber Factory LLC, to serve as a guest speaker in April 2011 at meetings in bothKuwait and Abu Dhabi on the topic of adhesive bonding on rubber surfaces. Iskander is a polymerconsultant and adhesives and polymer expert at hercompany, PLSI, in Huntersville, N.C.

Dr. Prashant Joshi (Ph.D. 1999)Has started a new company, Yallamma Energy &Fuels, LLC. Based in Silver Spring, Md., it seeks newpartnerships in clean/renewable energy and biofuels,in addition to consulting in polymers and chemicals.

Dr. Byong-Jun Kim (Ph.D. 2002)Has joined the Elastomer Engineering Group as a staff chemist at Weatherford International in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Rishi Kumar (Ph.D. 2010)Accepted a position as a research scientist with thecentral R&D office of DuPont in Hyderabad, India.

Basker Lalgudi (M.S. 2000)Serves as North American market manager,Polyamides for Arkema in King of Prussia, Pa.

Edgar Marquina (M.S. 2010)Has joined Laird Technologies in Cleveland, Ohio, as a process engineer.

Dr. Scott Meng (Ph.D. 2004)Accepted a position as senior chemist with Dyna-Drill in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Kumar Nanjundiah (M.S. 2003/Ph.D. Polymer Science 2007)Works as associate scientist with Dow Packaging and Converting, Dow Chemical Company, in Midland, Mich.

Dr. Ahmet Nebioglu (Ph.D. 2006)Was promoted to director of applied technology at Bomar Specialties in Torrington, Conn.

Nishant Negandhi (M.S. 2003) Recently received three more U.S. patents: “Low Organic Vapor Permeation Resin Composition,” in August 2010; “Thermoplastic Polymer for ElectricallyConductive Thermoforming Applications,” in December 2010; and “Thermoplastic Polymer for Shipping Combs,” April 2011. Negandhi is technologymanager at Ovation Polymers in Medina, Ohio.

Dr. Domasius Nwabunma (M.S. 1996/Ph.D. 1999)Accepted a position in April 2011 as senior polymerengineer at Greene, Tweed & Company in Kulpsville,Pa. In October 2010, the two-volume research set,Polyolefin Blends, which Nwabunma co-edited in 2007with Dr. Thein Kyu, was translated into Chinese.

Jatin Panchal

Jatin Panchal (M.S. 1999)Received his M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University in May 2011. Panchal serves as market development manager at Lubrizol in Cleveland.

Nisha Patel Keskar

Nisha Patel Keskar (M.S. 2000/M.B.A. North CarolinaState University 2009)Accepted a position as strategic market manager, EVA Performance Polymers, with the Celanese Corporation in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Jason Randall (Ph.D. 2010)Has joined AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings inStrongsville, Ohio, as a research scientist in the areas of rheology and surface energy/contact angle measurement.

Steve Schaibel (M.S. 1992)Serves as manager of extrusion engineering at Abbott Vascular in Temecula, Calif.

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“And the Winner Is...” ALUMNI, FACULTY AND STUDENT NEWS, AWARDS AND GRANTS

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Awards 5

“And the Winner Is...” CONTINUED

Dr. Sylvain Seif with fiancée, Micha Nader.

Dr. Sylvain Seif (Ph.D. 2009)Became engaged to Micha Nader on Dec. 26, 2010.The couple plan to wed on Aug. 7, 2011, in Bkerke,Lebanon. Seif is a research and development engineer at INDEVCO Flexible Packaging in Beirut, Lebanon.

Prabhu Soundarrajan (M.S. 2003)With wife, Jayashree, welcomed the birth of their first child, a son named Arjun Sundar Prabhu, on May 12, 2011. Soundarrajan is growth leader for theGas Sensor Business of LumaSense Technologies in Santa Clara, Calif.

From left, Hemant Thakkar with Amit Thakkar, director ofbusiness development at Rachana Rubber, and Jim Finn,president of Akron Dispersions, during the India RubberExpo 2011.

Hemant Thakkar (M.S. 2003)Had his company, Rachana Rubber, selected as theauthorized agent/distributor for Akron Dispersions,Inc. of Copley, Ohio, for the company’s water-baseddispersions and other custom-processed chemicalsused in the latex, paint, coating and adhesive industries. Rachana Rubber will represent Akron Dispersions exclusively in the Indian and Sri Lankanmarket. The partnership was launched at the 2011India Rubber Expo held in January in Chennai.

Tilak Varma (M.S. 1991)Received his seventh U.S. patent in November 2010, for “Corrugated Polymeric Void Board.” Varma is senior project manager at Corning Life Sciences in Kennebunk, Maine.

Dr. Shanshan Wang Cordy (Ph.D. 2007)Has joined the Advanced Film Center of Avery Dennison in Mentor, Ohio, as a technical specialist.

Dr. Gregory Yandek (Ph.D. 2005)Received the Propulsion Directorate Scientist and Engineer of the Year Award in November 2010 fromthe U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. Yandek is achemical engineer at the U.S. Air Force Research Lab at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Dr. Wei Zhao (Ph.D. 2011)Accepted a position as a product developer withSABIC Innovative Plastics in Mt. Vernon, Ind.

ALUMNI – IN MEMORY

Michael Reagan

Michael Reagan (M.S. Physics 2006/M.S. Polymer Engineering 2009)Passed away at the age of 38 on April 22, 2011. Agraduate of Dr. Sergei Lyuksyutov, Department ofPhysics, and Dr. Erol Sancaktar, Reagan was an assistant lecturer in the Department of Physics at The University of Akron. He is survived by his wife,Alaina, and children Michael Jr., 15, Dominique, 8,Sonya, 5, and Jacob, then 20 months.

FACULTY

Dr. Miko CakmakApril 2011 – Received $60,000 from NASA SharedServices for his work on “Flexible Aerogel Film Manufacturing.”

August 2010 – Awarded $110,454 from Lockheed Martin for “Nano-Reinforced Low Permeability Polymer Films and Matrices.”

Dr. Alan Gent, Professor EmeritusWas awarded the inaugural Tire Technology International Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a career of outstanding service to the tireindustry. Gent received the honor Feb. 16, 2011, at theTire Technology International Awards for Innovationand Excellence ceremony in Cologne, Germany.

Dr. Xiong GongSummer 2011 – Awarded a $10,000 Summer Fellowship by the Faculty Research Committee of The University of Akron’s Faculty Senate for his work on “Polymer Solar Cells by Semiconducting Polymers Anchored with Polyhedral OligomericSilsesquioxane.”

February 2011 – Received a Nontenured Faculty Grantfrom 3M Corporation for his work on “Polymer SolarCells for Generation of Renewable Energy.” Theaward recognizes outstanding new faculty for thequality and pertinence of research and is intended tohelp the recipient achieve tenure. The award providesan unrestricted grant of $15,000/year, renewable forthree years.

Dr. Hendrik Heinz

Dr. Hendrik HeinzSummer 2011 – Served as visiting professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. In additionto advancing his funded collaboration with Sika Technology and other European contacts, Heinz was invited to give two guest lectures in June.

June 2011 – Gave the George Brown Lectureship during the Euroclay Annual Meeting held in Antalya,Turkey. Heinz was selected for this award by the ClayMinerals Group of the Mineralogical Society. TheGeorge Brown Lecture, inaugurated in 2000, is givenby a speaker who is a clay mineralogist, academic or industrial, recognized as an authority in their particular field, and the lecture is published as a review in Clay Minerals.

April 2011 – Received $6,930 from Sika Technology for continued computational services for acquisitionof data.

March 2011 – Awarded $8,580 from Suter Consultingfor computational services.

November 2010 - Received $74,339 in addition to $22,000 awarded in September 2010 from Universal Energy Systems for “Understanding and Designing Biotic-Abiotic Interactions Using Computational Models.”

September 2010 – Awarded $76,913 in continued funding from Sika Technology for his work on “Molecular Modeling for Construction Chemicals.”

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“And the Winner Is...” CONTINUED

Dr. Sadhan JanaMarch 2011 – Received $11,000 in continuing moniesfrom The University of Akron Research Foundation for a total received of $136,223 for his work on “Dispersion of Nanoscale Alumina in Carrier-Fluids for Optimum Energetics.”

Dr. Alamgir KarimJune 2011 – Awarded $25,000 by Promerus, LLC for a community industrial assistantship for doctoral student Gurpreet Singh.

June 2011 – Received $97,000 in continuing moniesfrom the National Science Foundation for “Collaborative Research: Fundamentals of BlockCopolymer Ordering During Cold Zone Annealing.”

April 2011 – Awarded Faculty Mentor of the Year byThe University of Akron during the Conference on Undergraduate and Graduate Student Research onApril 1, 2011, on campus.

November 2010 – Serves as Co-PI with Dr. MatthewBecker of polymer science in a $1.6 million awardfrom the Austen BioInnovation Institute of Akron forestablishing the Akron Functional Materials Center.

Dr. Thein KyuThe two-volume research set, Polyolefin Blends,which Kyu co-edited in 2007 with former student, Dr. Domasius Nwabunma, was translated into Chinese in October 2010.

Dr. Robert WeissJune 2011 – Received $125,000 in continued fundingfrom the National Science Foundation for his work on “Shape Memory Elastomers Derived from IonomerFatty Acid Blends.”

April 2011 – Presented a seminar on the “Properties ofIon-containing Polymers” at Penn State University.

March 2011 – Presented a seminar on “ManipulatingPolymer Properties Using Ionic Functionality” at DowCorning in Midland, Mich.

March 2011 – Invited to give two talks at the American Chemical Society Spring Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. Weiss presented on “Shape MemoryElastomers Based on Compounds of a Fatty Acid Salt and an Ionomer” and “Synthesis of High ProtonConducting Nanoparticles.”

August 2010 – Awarded $524,721 from the Office ofNaval Research for “Rational Design of AdvancedPolymetric Capacitor Films.”

Andrew Shinko

Andrew ShinkoReceived a 2011-12 NASA Earth and Space ScienceFellowship (NESSF) for his work on shape-memorypolyimide aerogels. Shinko’s primary work will be carried out at The University of Akron in collaborationwith his adviser, Dr. Sadhan Jana, and Dr. Mary AnnMeador of NASA Glenn Research Center.

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Awards �

Summer 2011 Graduate Student Demographics Program9 Master’s68 Ph.D.s

Gender22 Female55 Male

Enrollment65 Full-time12 Part-time

Race41 Asian2 Black5 Hispanic29 White

Residency1 Permanent resident18 Native58 Foreign

16 Countries Represented1 Bangladesh21 China3 Colombia10 India5 Iran1 Libya1 Malaysia1 Mexico

1 Russia1 Saudi Arabia2 South Korea3 Taiwan2 Thailand5 Turkey1 Ukraine19 United States

Awards

STUDENTS

ORG Award winner Diya Bandyopadhyay with her adviser,Dr. Alamgir Karim.

Diya BandyopadhyayMarch 2011 – Received an Ohio Rubber Group (ORG)Graduate Student Award of $3,000 in a luncheon ceremony held March 1, 2011, at UA. She is a doctoral student studying with Dr. Alamgir Karim.

Sasiwimon Buddhiranon

Sasiwimon BuddhiranonMarch 2011 – Selected to receive a $5,000 Ohio Agricultural Science and Bioproducts Research Scholarship. The Ohio Soybean Council made theaward on the basis of research focused on the development and use of biobased products and materials derived from soybeans. She is a doctoral student studying with Dr. Thein Kyu.

ORG Award winner Emmanuel Pitia (right) with JoelNeilsen, ORG scholarship chair.

Emmanuel PitiaMarch 2011 – Received an Ohio Rubber Group (ORG)Graduate Student Award of $3,000 in a luncheon ceremony held March 1, 2011, at UA. He is a doctoralstudent studying with Dr. Robert Weiss.

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University of Akron-based technologystartup company Biena Tech

won the 2011 LaunchTownTM

entrepreneurship competition. BienaTech was represented by polymerengineering students Maurice Wadley,Chaitanya Pratiwada and Kshitij Jha,who serves as company CEO; former post-doc Dr. Balaka Barkakaty;and public affairs doctoral student Al Neighorn.

Dr. Hendrik Heinz, assistant professor of polymer engineering, and Bruce Terry, Case Western Reserve University retired CEO-in-residence and industry liaison in the Science and TechnologyEntrepreneurship Program (STEP), mentored the students.

Established in 2006, LaunchTownTM Entrepreneurship Awards is a best-ideas competition based on students’ presentations of business plans for innovative technology startup companies. The University of Akron competed against 15 other studentteams, including those from Youngstown State University, Cleveland State University and Kent State. Winner Biena Techreceived a prize of $10,000, which was donated by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, and an additional $20,000 inprofessional services through the Akron Global Business Accelerator.

Dr. Alicyn Rhoades from Bayer MaterialScience in Pittsburgh acknowledges 2010 Bayer Lecturer, Dr. Lloyd M. Robeson, Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (retired), who deliveredspecial polymer engineering lectures onmembrane gas separation and membranepurification of water on Sept. 29-30, 2010.

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Nigerians in Metro Akron and Surroundings (NIMAS) executive members,Emeka Ofobike and Eddie Omobien, visited the Department of PolymerEngineering at The University of Akron, on Nov. 10, 2010, to formally

present the NIMAS Humanitarian Service Award posthumously to Professor James L. White.

The award plaque, in addition to official proclamations from the Ohio General Assembly and the city of Akron, were given to Mrs. Alganesh White on behalf of the White family. A similar plaque and proclamations were presented to Dr. Avraam Isayev on behalf of the Department of Polymer Engineering.

Posthumous Awards for Dr. James L. White

NIMAS executive member Eddie Omobien with Mrs. Alganesh White.

Bayer Lectureship

From left are Maurice Wadley, Dr. Henrik Heinz, Kshitij Jha, Al Neighorn, Dr. Balaka Barkakaty, and Chaitanya Pratiwada.

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LaunchTown Win by Denise Henry

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Polymer-reinforced Aerogel Resilient for Space Missions by Denise Henry

Polymer-reinforced aerogels could soon go on a space mission. Modifying the

mechanical properties of aerogels with a polymer reinforcement creates a

durable thermal insulator primed for aerospace, according to recently

published research by Dr. Sadhan Jana, chair of the Department of Polymer

Engineering, and collaborators, 2010 Ph.D. graduate Jason Randall, and Dr. Mary

Ann Meador of NASA Glenn Research Center.

“Tailoring Mechanical Properties of

Aerogels for Aerospace Application,”

featured as a spotlight article in the

March 23, 2011, edition of the

American Chemical Society’s Applied

Material & Interfaces, describes how

polymer-strengthened silica aerogels

maintain their effectiveness as thermal

insulators under supercritical conditions

of outer space, including temperature

and pressure extremes.

Dr. Sadhan Jana holds polymer-reinforced aerogel.�

The supercritical aerogel dryer was built by UA polymer engineering doctoral student, Andrew Shinko.

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Low thermal conductivity and low

density make silica aerogels ideal

insulators, according to Jana, yet

their fragility often counters their

prospective effectiveness, particularly

in aerospace applications. Comprised

of approximately 95 percent air and 5

percent silica, the delicate aerogels

typically break down under relatively

low stresses. However, a polymer

conformal coating on the silica

nanoskeleton not only improves the

strength of aerogels, but their elasticity

and flexibility as well.

“Consequently, you now have a

material capable of withstanding

compression and bending stresses as

well as temperature extremes, making

it a candidate for use on space rovers,

inflatable decelerators and EVA suits,”

says Jana, whose team research

examined density, pore structure,

modulus and elastic recovery of

epoxy-reinforced aerogels.

Subsequent research could lead to

streamlined methods for applying the

polymer reinforcement to aerosol

articles and expanding their use and

configuration. As flexible thin sheets,

for example, aerogel insulation material

can be wrapped easily around pipes or

tanks, using shape memory properties

of the polymer reinforcement, or can

be produced in net shapes obviating

secondary processing or secondary

handling, according to Jana.

The three-year research program was

funded with $90,000 by NASA, under

the Graduate Student Research

Program Fellowship, to then graduate

student Randall.

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Revolutionizing Rubber Recycling by Denise Henry

Scrap rubber has remained littlemore than, well, scrap — untilnow. Dr. Avraam Isayev developed

an innovative rubber recoverytechnology expected to cause a major shift in rubber reprocessing for industrial use.

Isayev and his student research teaminvented a unique rubber processingmethod using a novel technique,ultrasonic devulcanization. Isayev’spatented innovation allows the recovery of rubber materials, which has been difficult, if not impossible, due to rubber’s vulcanized orcrosslinked nature.

Think scrap-tire heap. Isayev’stechnology enables devulcanization, orbreaking, of the sulfur crosslink bonds in the rubber compound, permitting theonce scrap material to be reprocessedand reused.

Dr. Avraam Isayev�

“Extensive experimental and theoreticalstudies were conducted based on thisand other related inventions,” saysIsayev, noting that more than 50 articles and book chapters werepublished during the last 15 years todevelop this technology. The NationalScience Foundation, NASA, and anumber of industrial companies funded the studies.

Isayev founded Avraam Corp. todevelop an industrial ultrasonicextruder to carry out the process ofrecovering rubber from tires, roofingmaterials, shoe soles and otherindustrially significant products. World leading athletic shoe supplierNike Inc. funded the research.

Isayev’s cutting-edge research isattracting attention. NorTech, a regionalnonprofit technology-based economicdevelopment organization and catalystfor growing Northeast Ohio’s emerging

technology industries, selected thedevelopment as a winner of its 2011 Innovation Award

NorTech Innovation Awards by Denise Henry

Aone-of-a-kind rubber recycling technology, ultrasonicrubber devulcanization, with accompanying extruder toconduct the process, was winner of the NorTech 2011

Innovation Award in the advanced materials category. Theinnovations are the brainchild of creator Dr. Avraam Isayev,distinguished professor of polymer engineering.

Concurrently, a novel process and resulting product technologythat enables flexible, stretchable, transparent and conductivepolymer films, developed by Dr. Miko Cakmak, Harold A. Morton Chair and distinguished professor of polymer engineering, was named a 2011 NorTech Innovation Award finalist.

Isayev’s innovative technology enablesdevulcanization, or breaking, of the sulfur crosslinkbonds in the rubber compound, allowing scraprubber to be reprocessed and reused. Isayev’sbreakthrough development is expected torevolutionize the rubber recycling industry. (see accompanying article).

Cakmak’s innovative process and product technologymake way for the creation of lightweight, flexible,durable and portable electronic devices. Cakmakcollaborated his research efforts on liquid crystaltechnology for flexible displays with Dr. John West,vice president for research and dean of GraduateStudies at Kent State University.

Dr. Avraam Isayev receives the NorTech Innovation Award fromBrian Tucker, left, publisher of Crain’s Cleveland Business; RebeccaBagley, president and CEO of NorTech; and Dr. Sonia Alemagno, interim vice president for research, Kent State University.

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Dr. Miko Cakmak�

Each year, NorTech recognizesbreakthrough innovations that have or demonstrate potential to have a dramatic impact on an industry or market segment. The 2011 NorTech Innovation Awards, presented Feb. 24 in Cleveland by NorTech and Crain’sCleveland Business, honored the successand achievements of nine innovativecompanies, entrepreneurs, universitiesand nonprofit organizations in NortheastOhio’s growing technology community.

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Alumni Day 2010 by Cheryl Slusarczyk

The Department of PolymerEngineering hosted Alumni Dayon Oct. 6, 2010, with over 140

attendees, including alumni, industrialvisitors, faculty, staff and students. The day began with registration andcontinental breakfast, which allowedample time for alumni to reunite with each other and their former faculty advisers.

The formal program began with threemorning technical presentations byalumni: Dr. Myung Hwan Kim, seniorvice president at LG Chem, Ltd., SouthKorea; Dr. Rujul Mehta, chief scientist atthe National Composite Center; and Dr. James Scobbo, global analyticaltechnology manager at SABICInnovative Plastics. The morningsession was followed by a deliciousluncheon held in the Student UnionBallroom — a building that was “new” to many alumni.

The 2010 Distinguished Alumni Awardwas presented to Dr. Myung Hwan Kim,who graduated with a B.S. in Chemical

Dr. Jason Randall (Ph.D. 2010) and ToddLewis attend a technical session.

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Enjoying the social mixer were students, from left, Romny Garcia Buduen, Jose Chapa Garza, Arvind Modi and Sahil Gupta.

�Dr. Rujul Mehta (Ph.D. 2003) of the National Composite Center makes a point during his presentation.

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Technology in 1980 from Seoul NationalUniversity and an M.S. in ChemicalEngineering in 1982 at KAIST beforepursuing a Ph.D. in PolymerEngineering at The University of Akron. He graduated in 1990 under theadvising of the late Dr. James L. White.Department Chair Dr. Sadhan Jana andDean Dr. Stephen Cheng presented Kim with the inscribed Distinguished Alumni Award in a ceremony held after the luncheon.

The afternoon’s activities included aninteractive roundtable moderated by Dr. Miko Cakmak on the topic of“Flexible Electronics: Past, Present and Future.” The roundtable membersincluded Dr. Andy Albrecht, seniordesign engineer, GE Lighting; EricaRoot Cikanek, president of StrategicMarketing Initiatives, LLC; Dr. ByronClayton, vice president of NorTech; Dr. Asad Khan, chief technology officerat Kent Displays, Inc.; and Dr. MyungHwan Kim, senior vice president at LGChem, Ltd., South Korea.

After the roundtable, escorted walkingtours of campus, hosted by the Polymer Engineering StudentOrganization, were available toattendees. The tours showcased thetransformation of The University ofAkron with highlights that included theNational Polymer Innovation Center,Coleman Commons, Student Recreationand Wellness Center, and InfocisionStadium-Summa Field — theUniversity’s on-campus footballstadium, which opened in 2009.

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Department Chair Sadhan Jana and DeanStephen Cheng flank Dr. Myung Hwan Kim (Ph.D. 1990), the 2010 Polymer Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

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Roundtable panelists Erica Root Cikanek and Dr. Andy Albrecht listen to comments of Dr. Byron Clayton.

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Amy Blake shows off one of the T-shirts sold during Alumni Day by thePolymer Engineering Student Organization.

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Concluding the day was an Asian-inspired social mixer held on the FirstMerit Club Level of Infocision Stadium.A University jazz trio provided music for the occasion. It was the perfectatmosphere to mingle and becomereacquainted with former classmatesand colleagues.

Alumni Day proved to be a rewardingday of fun and fellowship that wasappreciated by all. Reflection andcelebration of education,accomplishments and careers allowed the day to serve as inspirationto those in attendance. The Departmentof Polymer Engineering extends aheartfelt “thank you” to the manyparticipants in this memorable event.

Social mixer at Infocision Stadium-Summa Field.�

12The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution © 2011 by The University of Akron / 611-PS-6

Recent PolymerEngineering Graduates

Fall 2010Kushal Bahl, M.S.“Optimum Process Conditions for Production of Thermally Conductive Polymer Compounds Using Boron Nitride”

Adviser: Dr. Sadhan Jana

Tsang-Min Huang, Ph.D.“Phase Equilibria of Mesophase Transitions in Binary Liquid Crystal Mixtures Involving Induced Ordered Phases”

Adviser: Dr. Thein Kyu

Rishi Kumar, Ph.D.“Manufacturing of Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon NanofibersUsing Ultrasound Assisted Extrusion Process”

Adviser: Dr. Avraam Isayev

Spring 2011Yao-Tsung Fu, Ph.D.“Molecular Simulation of Dispersion and MechanicalStability of Organically Modified Layered Silicates inPolymer Matrices”

Adviser: Dr. Hendrik Heinz

Yingsheng Xing, Ph.D.“Finite Element Analysis of Drop Deformation in theEntrance Region of a Cylindrical Tube”

Adviser: Dr. Chang Dae Han

Wei Zhao, Ph.D.“Flexible Transparent Electrically Conductive Polymer Films for Future Electronics”

Adviser: Dr. Miko Cakmak

We Want to Hear From You!Alumni, we would like to hear from you – new jobs,new degrees, new family announcements. We welcome your news, photos and any other items you would like to share with your fellow alums! Please direct updates to:

Sarah A. ThorleyCoordinator of Academic ProgramsDepartment of Polymer EngineeringThe University of AkronE-mail: sarah3@uakron.edu

Listening to presentations.�

Dr. Thein Kyu, moderator for the technical sessions, listens as Dr. James Scobbo(M.S. 1986/Ph.D. 1989) of SABIC Innovative Plastics responds to a question.

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Dr. Miko Cakmak chats with alumni during the luncheon.�