Overview: College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering Paula Watt, Ph.D. Director of Outreach College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
Polymers and Composites are ideal for lightweighting strategies : Favorable strength to weight ratio Wide range of capabilities and properties Design flexibility Integrated functionality Optimization through multi-material system design
Legacy in Polymer Discovery, Innovation, Talent Dr. Charles Knight (1875-1913) Gave first semester-long class on polymers in the world in 1910 called Chemistry of India Rubber Strong, Lightweight, Impact Resistant, Functional, Cheap, Reliable Polymers represent a trillion dollar industry world-wide
COLLEGE OF POLYMER SCIENCE AND POLYMER ENGINEERING Established 1988 Polymer Science Faculty 21 Polymer Engineering Faculty 12 Graduate Students Polymer Science 195 Polymer Engineering 156 Buildings Goodyear Polymer 1991 Polymer Engineering Academic 2001 Olson Engineering Research 1979 Akron Polymer Training 1993 National Polymer Innovation 2010
For Ohio the polymer industry is the largest manufacturing sector with over 130,000 jobs Polymer Valley of Northeast Ohio has 2,400 polymer related companies 50% of North American plastics processing is within a 250 mile radius of Akron Rubber Ohio #1 Coatings Ohio #1 Plastics Ohio #2 Ohio is consistently in the top five states in polymer industry market segments: Coated and Laminated Paper Manufacturing, Inorganic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing, Synthetic Inorganic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing, Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing, Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing, Adhesive Manufacturing, Printing Ink Manufacturing, Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins, Unlaminated Plastics Film and Sheet (except Packaging) Manufacturing, Unlaminated Plastics Profile Shape Manufacturing, Plastic Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing, Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet (except Packaging) and Shape Manufacturing, Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing, Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing, Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading), Tire Retreading, Rubber and Plastics Hoses and Belting Manufacturing, Rubber Product Manufacturing for Mechanical Use, Plastics and Rubber Industry Machinery
Beyond Ohio: National and International Reach International reach reflects student origins and global polymer industry Supportive alumni are active in Taiwan, Korea, China, and India Graduates contribute in Polymer Valley of Northeast Ohio and in polymer related industries nationally
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Faculty MISSION: INVENT, INNOVATE, MANUFACTURE MATERIALS AND DEVICES Photovoltaic devices Optical compensation films Core shell nanostructures Nanogels Polymer nanocomposites Shape memory polymers Magnetic nanoparticles Aerogels Mesoporous carbon materials Novel coating materials Thin films Antibacterial coatings Thermoelectric devices Self-powered electronics Bio-materials Biomedical materials PROCESSING/MANUFACTURING Microlayer coextrusion Ink jet printing Stretching with structural-control Nanolithography Holographic multi-beam polymerization Nanoscale filler dispersion by ultrasound and chaotic mixers Block copolymer lithography Hybrid processing Electro-spinning R2R processing Field alignment Zone annealing Ice-phobic surfaces Patterning; 3-D printing CHARACTERIZATION AND MODELING Nano-Raman spectroscopy X-ray reflectivity Multilayer film layer uniformity and interface quality AFM; TEM; Inorganic-organic interfaces Force fields for interfacial properties MD simulation of chain molecules Surface force analysis of nanoscale bio materials Nanoscale tribology Lipid membranes and proteins Mold filling analysis
Polymer Modeling and Visualization Center New in 2016
Additive Manufacturing Laboratory New in 2017
Akron Polymer Technology Services Workforce Development Training Since 1993 we have been providing non-degree workforce training through our Akron Polymer Technology Services organization. Customized Training Programs Akron Polymer Technology Services specialize in development and delivery of courses and workshops specific to a company s needs. Course Offering Examples Silicone Elastomers Technology and Fabrication Seminar - 4 Day Course Polyurethane Elastomers: Chemistry, Applications and Formulations - 1 Day Course Systematic Innovation for Six Sigma Black Belts and Lean Masters: An Introduction - 2 Day Course Over 2500 individuals, from 900 companies, have used our training services since 2002.
Akron Polymer Technology Services With a full-time professional staff, and a half-million dollar inventory of modern instrumentation, the Testing Center is dedicated to performing sophisticated and timely contractual technical services for industrial and government clients. In addition to dedicated resources maintained by the Center, the laboratory has access to highly sophisticated instrumentation through the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, and will interface with over 30 highly specialized faculty to solve more complex polymer related problems. Contract Services Fast Turnaround Confidentiality Professional Staff
Akron Polymer Technology Services The Polymer Processing Center offers the capability for experimentation and pilot level process trials for a variety of plastics processing techniques, including: Compounding, blending and mixing Film blowing Injection, compression and vacuum molding Roll to Roll casting and extrusion Coating Additive manufacturing
National Polymer Innovation Center
Akron Functional Materials Center Bio-medical Materials Coatings and Adhesives Additive Manufacturing Energy and Electronics Polymer Assembly
Some Current Research Partners and Sponsors?
Professional Masters Coursework focused Masters degree in Polymer Science and Engineering with integrated professional courses in business, law, and engineering Rationale There are a range of non-research positions for which a polymer technical background would be very useful Surveys of industry executives and technical staff suggest a professional MS with business and law components would be viewed favorably Trends outside UA Other schools starting Professional MS degrees in Engineering and Science include Rice, U. Penn, CWRU, Virginia Tech None of these currently compete in the polymers area Structure 18 polymer credits in chemistry, characterization, processing, and technology 12 business and law credits, core courses and electives in finance, project management, supply chain, intellectual property, compliance Instruction on research methods and communications; no thesis requirement First entering class in Fall 2017
SPE THERMOSET DIVISION 2017 ANNUAL TOPICAL CONFERENCE Technical Agenda Experts in the Raw Material space Processing Innovations Market Updates Exhibit & Sponsorship Opportunities Social Activities to Promote Collaboration Logon to www.spethermosets.org for more information The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch 21-22 MARCH 2017
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