ACESS-Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Societies

SPE - Simplay3 Tour and Dinner
2025-11-10 17:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Simplay3, 9450 Rosemont Drive, Strreetsboro, 44241, United States
Please join us for a tour at Simplay and a dinner. Buy dinner tickets at the link below. All Guests $20. for a taco bar with beverages following tour. Please submit reservations by November 7.
The Akron Section of SPE inducted Tom Murdough, the founder of Little Tikes, Step 2 and Simplay3, into our Plastics Hall of Fame for the pioneering work he accomplished with the rotational molding process. He took a prototyping process and developed it into a mass production process for toys, garden and other consumer products.
The Simplay3 story: Whether you’re 3 or 63, we want to bring more fun and joy to life. We know that simple play or work, no matter what, makes us smile. We built the Simplay3 and American Home brands to bring smiles and ease to life with products that are simply and smartly designed to tackle everyday needs from back-to-basics children’s play to maintaining your home and garden.
Our durable products partner with families throughout their day to reach, carry, hold, support and entertain with strength, quality and great design. Made in America by an American workforce, our products are easy to assemble too!

ACS - Technical Lecture
2025-11-18 15:00 - 16:30 | MGH 111, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, United States
The Akron Section Award winner will give a technical lecture in the afternoon at the University of Akron.
(Note that the Akron Section Award Lecture itself is in the evening at Missing Falls Brewery and is listed as a separate event on this website.)
Professor Kevin Noonan, Carnegie Mellon University
Mary Gladwin Hall 111
3 PM, November 18, 2025
No ticket or reservation required

ACS - Akron Section Award Lecture
2025-11-18 17:30 - 20:30 | Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St. Suite 112, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
2025 Akron Section Award winner
Professor Kevin Noonan, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
“Materials Design for Energy Technologies: Leveraging Insights Across the Periodic Table”
Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St., Suite 112, Akron OH 44311
5:30 PM Networking
6:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM The Akron Section Award Lecture
The lecture is free and open to the public. Please buy dinner tickets at the links below.
Abstract: (7 PM at Missing Falls Brewery) Over the past 15 years, the Noonan Lab has pursued two complementary directions in materials design: (1) the development of novel cationic polymers for anion transport and (2) the synthesis of precise semiconducting polymers for charge transport. A central theme in both efforts has been the deliberate use of heteroatoms to tailor structure, properties, and performance. Our work on cationic polymers is motivated by low-carbon energy technologies such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and redox-flow batteries. Polymer design is critical to achieving high performance and long-term stability for these applications. I will highlight how our approach to anion-exchange membrane (AEM) design has evolved, with particular emphasis on appending heavy main-group element-based phosphorus and sulfur as cationic head groups to polyolefins. In addition, I will discuss the advantages of polyolefin backbones, especially polynorbornenes, which have recently emerged as promising platforms for AEMs.
Bio: Kevin Noonan is a Professor and Associate Department Head, Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University. He completed his BSc at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia working with John Coxon. His PhD work on phosphorus-containing polymers was completed under the supervision of Derek Gates at the University of British Columbia with an NSERC doctoral fellowship. His postdoctoral work on ion-containing polymers was carried out under Geoff Coates’ supervision at Cornell University with an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship. His interests combine aspects of chemistry and material science with an emphasis on creation of new polymeric materials.

ACESS - Board Meeting
2025-11-19 17:30 - 18:45 | ACS Rubber Division office, 306 N. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Akron, OH, 44333, United States
Regular monthly board meeting for the ACESS executive, society reps and advisors. Meet in person at 306 N Cleveland Massillon Rd. or virtually via the TEAMS link sent to Board members.

ORG - Winter Technical Meeting
2026-01-27 16:00 - 21:00 | Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg, 8971 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg, OH, 44078, United States
Agenda:
4:00 – Dinner Ticket / Membership Sales
4:30 – Technical Presentations
6:00 – Social Hour
7:00 – Dinner
Tickets:
Advanced Reservations: $35 each. Tickets at the door without prior reservation: $40 each (limited number available)
Use the links below for online purchase of tickets (preferred). Alternatively, email reservations to Denise Kotz at denisekotz@strategicrealm.consulting OR mail to Ohio Rubber Group, PO Box 553, Hudson, OH 44236.
Technical Presentations:
“Advanced Rheological Characterization of SBR with Recovered and Carbon Black Fillers Using Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA)”
Unal Yilmazoglu, Applications Engineering Manager, Alpha Technologies
With rising interest in sustainable fillers for rubber compounds, there is a growing need for detailed rheological characterization. Using RPA with Sub-Zero technology, this study provides a comparative rheological analysis of SBR compounds filled with recovered carbon and conventional carbon black at various filler loadings. Additionally, Fourier Transform (FT) rheology provides distinct viscoelastic fingerprints that differentiate recovered carbon from carbon black-filled formulations.
“Stiffness-Hysteresis Tradeoff in the Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Rubber Compounds Reinforced with Precipitated Silica, Carbon Black, and Other Nanofillers”
Christopher G. Robertson, Principal Consultant, Polymer Technology Services LLC
A review of numerous data sets for temperature-dependent dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of various nanofiller-reinforced rubber compounds reveals that the peak height for loss tangent (tand) in the glass transition region is inversely related to the dynamic storage modulus in the rubbery state, the latter influenced strongly by the type and concentration of filler. The results that illustrate this stiffness-hysteresis tradeoff include recent DMA data for a model passenger tire tread compound, based on styrene-butadiene rubber reinforced with different loadings of precipitated silica and silane coupling agent. This general trend is also noted for published data for various rubber compounds filled with precipitated silica or carbon black and with data for various elastomer nanocomposites from scientific literature. Viscoelastic models show the same inverse relationship, independent of any material-related interpretation. This viscoelastic tradeoff will be discussed along with implications for the performance of tire treads and other rubber applications.
“Synthesis of Carboxyl Terminated Polymyrcene by Anionic Polymerization using CO2”
Trishna K Chengappa, PhD student and Scholarship Winner, The University of Akron
This work investigates the termination of anionically polymerized myrcene with carbon dioxide to produce carboxylic acid–terminated polymers, aiming to enable further functionalization and non-linear architectures like graft copolymers. Challenges such as maximizing carboxylation in bulk, managing side reactions with THF, and optimizing CO₂ addition are addressed through tailored reaction conditions and characterization methods.

SPE - Americhem Tour
2026-02-23 17:00 - 20:00 | Americhem – World Headquarters, 2000 Americhem Way, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44221
Gather and Tour 5:00 PM
Buy tickets at the link below $10. Reserve by Feb. 20.
Dinner following at Rockne’s, 1203 Bailey Rd., Cuyahoga Falls.
Optional and individually purchased.
Come join us on February 23rd for a tour of our Headquarters in Cuyahoga Falls, including our Innovation Center, Analytical Lab, and Weathering Facility!

ACS & SPE - ACESS Joint Societies Meeting
2026-03-03 17:45 - 20:30 | Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St. Suite 112, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Dr. Torsten Hegmann, Ohio Research Scholar Professor
Director, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University
Zero-power, optical toxic gas and vapor sensors utilizing printed nematic liquid crystal patterns
Location: Missing Falls Brewery, Event Room
For a virtual option, contact education.outreach@akronacs.org
Tuesday, March 3, rescheduled from January 27
5:45 PM Networking
6:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Lecture (open to the public)
Dinner cost: $20 for members and the public, $10 for retired/unemployed, $5 for students. To pay online, use the ticket links below (preferred). To pay at the door, RSVP at the link below.
Networking: Come meet Dr. David Strukel, Innovation Entrepreneurship Coordinator for the University of Akron Research Foundation, discussing translating research ideas into businesses and the mentors that enable these ICORP teams. I-Corps – UARF
Abstract: Health risks affiliated with the exposure to a wide variety of toxic gases and vapors is a certainty for first responders such as firefighters and HAZMAT team members but also for military personnel in conflict zones, countless other professions from water purification and chemical manufacturing to the oil and gas industry, among others, and even the general public. To address this, we have developed several prototypes for a novel toxic gas sensor platform based on inkjet-printed nematic liquid crystal patterns. These sensors require zero power to operate and are characterized by high sensitivity down to highly relevant ppm and ppb levels, fast response times on the order of seconds, improved durability, and an overall design that is highly customizable by the potential end user. The response times of these sensors exponentially decrease with toxic gas concentration, thereby establishing the toxic gas diffusivity dependence of their mode of action. We demonstrated such prototypes for a range of toxic gases including chlorine, phosgene, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, aliphatic amines, and others, performing interference testing in high humidity and smoke conditions as well as field testing with active firefighters.
Bio: Dr. Hegmann obtained his Ph.D. from the Martin Luther University, in Halle (Germany) in 2001. He then pursued postdoctoral research supported by a DAAD-NATO scholarship at Queen’s University, in Kingston (ON, Canada) from 2001 to 2003. Thereafter, he started his independent academic career in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Manitoba in 2003, where he was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2008, leaving for Kent State in 2011. Since July 2019, Dr. Torsten Hegmann serves as the Director of the Advanced Materials & Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI) at Kent State University. He is an Ohio Research Scholar in Science & Technology of Advanced Nanomaterials at Kent State since 2011. He is a member and Full Professor of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, the Materials Science Graduate Program, and the Brain Health Research Institute. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) since 2016, his work has garnered additional national and international awards such as the LG Mid-Career Award from the International Liquid Crystal Society or the Merck Displaying Future Award, among others. Dr. Hegmann’s research focuses on combinations and applications of liquid crystals and nanomaterials, exploring their role in programmed nanomaterial assembly, electro-optical applications, chirality amplification, and sensing as well as the design of nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

ORG - Spring Technical Meeting
2026-04-28 08:00 - 17:00 | Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St. Suite 112, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Agenda:
5:00 – Registration, Bar Opens, Buffet Dinner Opens
5:30 – Technical Presentations
7:00 – Open Networking
CHANGE IN VENUE! This event will be held at Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St., Akron.
Tickets:
Advanced Reservations: $35 each (Without prior reservation: $40 each, limited number). Reduced Fee for Students!
Online ticketing (preferred) will be available on this web page about one month before the event. We highly encourage you to pay in advance for this meeting, due to the setup, which is one large room.
“Pay at the Door” will only be available until 5:30 pm because the Technical Presentations start at that time.
Email reservations to Denise Kotz at denisekotz@strategicrealm.consulting OR mail to Ohio Rubber Group, PO Box 553, Hudson, OH 44236.
Technical Presentations:
To be announced.

MSNO - 68th Annual May Conference
2026-05-20 08:00 - 17:00 | John Carroll University, Dolan Science Center, 1 John Carroll Blvd, University Heights, OH, 44118
Microscopy Society of Northeastern Ohio jointly with Society of Applied Spectroscopy
More information will be posted here are the time approaches.

ORG - Early Summer Golf Outing 2026
2026-06-17 07:00 - 16:00 | Brookledge Golf Club, 1621 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44221, United States
Schedule:
Registration: 7:00 – 7:45 am
Shotgun Start: 8:00 am
4 Golfer Scramble
Dinner: 2:00 pm – Brookledge Pavilion
Cost and Ticketing:
Cost: $150.00, includes golf with cart, lunch, dinner, beverages, door prize, raffle ticket, skill awards and prizes.
Mulligan cards are available for an additional $5 each.
Dinner only: $40
Registration deadline: June 8, 2026
Online ticketing (preferred): Tickets will be available on this webpage a month or so before the deadline.

ORG - Late Summer Golf Outing 2026
2026-08-31 07:00 - 20:00 | Silver Lake Country Club, 1325 Graham Rd, Stow, OH, 44224, United States
Event Information:
There will be two shotgun starts: AM group – 8:00 AM (Play Your Own Ball) and PM group – 1:30 PM (Scramble)
Any morning player will have the opportunity to play an additional round in the afternoon for an additional $75.
Schedule of Activities:
7:00 AM Bag Drop – Morning Shotgun Registration Opens
7:15 AM Driving Range Opens
8:00 AM MORNING SHOTGUN
9:30 AM Bag Drop – Afternoon Shotgun
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:30 PM AFTERNOON SHOTGUN
6:00 PM Cocktails! (Cash Bar)
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Prize Awards
Register and pay by August 19, 2026.
Cost and Ticketing:
Entry Fee of $165 includes golf, lunch and dinner. Additional round $75.
Online ticketing (preferred): Links for purchasing tickets will be available on this web page a month or so before the event.

ORG - Fall Technical Meeting 2026
2026-09-15 16:00 - 21:00 | Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg, 8971 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg, OH, 44078, United States
Agenda:
4:00 – Dinner Ticket / Membership Sales
4:30 – Technical Presentations
6:00 – Social Hour
7:00 – Dinner
Tickets:
Advanced Reservations: $35 each (Without prior reservation: $40 each, limited number available).
Buy tickets online (preferred): Links for purchasing tickets will be available on this web page a month before the event.
Alternatively, email reservations to Denise Kotz at denisekotz@strategicrealm.consulting OR mail to Ohio Rubber Group, PO Box 553, Hudson, OH 44236.
Technical Presentations:
To be announced.
