SPE – Awards Night

May 22.  Please join us for the last meeting of the season as we present various awards and scholarships.

Dr. James M. Eagan, Assistant Professor, The University of Akron School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering – Keynote Address: From Thin Air: The Synthesis of Lightweight Composites from Carbon Dioxide

Gathering 5:30 p.m.
Dinner 6:00 p.m.
Program 7:00 p.m.

Pricing: Member and/or guest $30, Retired $25, Student $10, Honoree or Scholarship Winner plus one guest – no charge. Reserve by May 12.  Buy tickets online using the link below. Alternatively, reserve by calling Bob Weiler at 330-283-9024 or emailing akronspe1@gmail.com. Be sure to include your company affiliation and dietary restrictions.

Abstract: Polymerization of high energy fossil fuel carbon feedstocks has underpinned the advances in polymer science and polymer engineering for the last century. These synthetic materials have unparalleled performance and tunable function. However, the limited supply of fossil fuels, excessive generation of durable plastic waste, and rising emissions complicate the long-term sustainability of the polymer industry. In our work, we seek to utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) as a carbon feedstock for high performance advanced material applications. Specifically, we have developed systems suitable for applications in lightweight fiber reinforced composites, reprocessable thermosets, chemically recyclable elastomers, and degradable plastics. In this talk we will describe the underpinning chemistry that enables these sustainable materials and our attempts to scale their production. Additionally, the properties and their comparison to traditional technologies will be provided along with a critique of new material adoption.

Bio: James M. Eagan is an assistant professor at the University of Akron School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 2014 under the guidance of Scott A. Snyder and completed postdoctoral studies at Cornell University under Geoffrey W. Coates. He is the recipient of the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, NSF Faculty Early Career Development award, LG Global Innovation Challenge Award, and the ACS Petroleum Research Foundation (PRF) New Investigator Grant. He serves on the advisory boards of Ascribe Bioscience, Seauciel LLC., and ACS Applied Polymer Materials.