UA's Polymer College Strengthens International Partnership with French IFP School The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering continues to uphold its renowned past and is making great strides in its promising future through cutting edge research, industry partnerships, and important connections with other programs and universities around the world. This is the second year of a graduate student exchange program with the polymers program of IFP School (French Institute of Petroleum) in Rueil-Malmaison, France. Last year the first graduate students from CPSPE went to IFP School for six weeks, working with IFP faculty and staff, learning about supply chain issues and the connections of the oil and gas industry with the polymer industry. Read More
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Thematic issue of Elements magazine guest-edited by Polymer Science professor Department of Polymer Science professor, Dr. Nita Sahai recently guest-edited a thematic issue of Elements magazine on the topic of the Origins of Life, which was released in December 2016.The origin of life is essentially a problem of non-enzymatic (prebiotic) synthesis of organic monomers from inorganic starting compounds, their non-enzymatic (prebiotic) polymerization, and macromolecular self-assembly into cell-like entities. In this issue of Elements, fundamental questions such as, “How did life arise from inorganic molecules on early Earth about 4.2-3.8 billion years ago?” “Did the organic syntheses occur in an early Earth primordial soup or was there an extraterrestrial source?” “What geochemically-plausible environmental conditions were present on Earth present for the chemical reactions?” are asked. Read More
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Meet the new Director of the National Polymer Innovation CenterRandy Marvel comes to the National Polymer Innovation Center with over 36 years of industry experience focusing on performance improvement in manufacturing operations and supply chain in both line and staff leadership roles helping companies become more profitable. His experience includes 19 years in converting industries producing roll goods polymer substrates using compounding, extrusion, and calendaring processes, as well as finishing operations including printing, embossing, laminating, and coating. In addition, he has experience running a commercial business unit including P&L, sales, marketing, and new product development. His industry experience includes progressively more responsible roles at General Electric, GenCorp / OMNOVA Solutions, and RJF International / Koroseal Interior Products where he held positions as Vice President of Manufacturing and Vice President of Supply Chain / Strategic Initiatives. He is very excited to drive the efforts to increase utilization of this world class pilot scale processing and materials characterization facility by UA faculty and students, external academic and industry collaborators. Randy and his wife Brenda have lived in the Akron area for 14 years and enjoy many outdoor activities including cycling and golf.
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Remembering Dr. Howard L. Stephens Dr. Howard L. Stephens, Professor Emeritus of Polymer Science and Chemistry, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 24, at the age of 97. Dr. Stephens was a good friend to many and did much for the polymer and chemistry programs at UA. He graduated from Akron Garfield High School and then entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II. After serving his country he enrolled at The University of Akron where he earned his BS in Chemistry, MS in Chemistry, and in 1960 his PhD in Polymer Chemistry. He worked in Professor Whitby’s lab on a project sponsored by the US Synthetic Rubber Research Program. It involved a new system (the peroxamine system) for initiating emulsion polymerization at low temperatures and led to a frequently cited publication [Whitby, Wellman, Stephens and Floutz, IEC, 42, 445 (1950)]. Read More
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Mukesh Sanghvi, managing director of INDORE Composite P. ltd, discusses his expanding operations throughout India, and worldwide. He shares how his experience at the College of Polymer Science and Engineering contributed to his success. Read More The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is proud to recognize all of our successful and exceptional alumni who are doing exciting things both personally and professionally. Do you know who our next alumni spotlight should feature? Tell us here.
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Dr. Henry Astley is an Assistant Professor of Polymer Science and Biology at The University of Akron. Before joining CPSPE, he received his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology, a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Biology at the University of Cincinnati, and Ph.D. in Biology at Brown University. Learn more about Dr. Astley and his goals within the Department of Polymer Science. Read More Tell us about a faculty member you would like see in the spotlight by emailing us here.
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Xiang Gao is currently a 5th year PhD student pursuing his degree in polymer engineering. Before attending The University of Akron, he got his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Sichuan University, China. He joined the PhD program of Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron in 2012 and was the recipient of the 2016 Eastman Fellowship. Read More Tell us about a student you would like to have in the spotlight by emailing us here.
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