ACS & SPE - ACESS Joint Societies Meeting
2026-03-03 17:45 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | 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. If you already paid for Jan 27 but cannot attend on Mar. 3, you may send a refund request to education.outreach@akronacs.org.
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.

ACESS - Celebration of STEM
2026-03-04 16:30 - 19:30 | The University of Akron Student Union, 303 Carroll St, Akron, 44304, United States
A STEM enrichment program for Akron area 4th and 5th graders with live demonstrations.
To volunteer, contact Gregg Loesch at Loesch.gregg@sbcglobal.com or Marian Rousek at mmrousek@gmail.com.

SPE - McCann Plastics
2026-04-14 17:30 - 19:30 | McCann Plastics, 5600 Mayfair Rd, North Canton, 44720, United States
McCann Plastics specializes in the custom compounding of thermoplastic materials, working closely with each customer to develop high-quality, tailor-made solutions. Their state-of-the-art lab rigorously tests all incoming and finished materials to ensure they meet their stringent quality standards. They offer flexibility and rapid response times to meet the unique needs of our customers. Founded in 1989 by Michael McCann, McCann Plastics has grown to become a leader in the thermoplastics compounding industry. With a senior management team that has a combined plastic industry experience of over 100 years, McCann is known for its quality, innovation, and excellence. In December 2022, after over three decades of family ownership, McCann Plastics proudly joined HEXPOL, one of the fastest growing international polymer groups, further strengthening our commitment to exceptional custom materials solutions.
We will walk to the training room up 14 steps and observe from the windows (no plant walking tour). Presentation following and a light meal of pizza and salad.
Cost is $10 for all. Buy tickets at the link below.
This event is open to the first 25 people that sign up.

ACESS - Presidents and Advisors Meeting
2026-04-15 17:00 - 21:00 | Doubletree by Hilton Akron Fairlawn, 3180 West Market Street, Akron, OH, 44333, United States
The ACESS Presidents and Advisors meeting will feature Nick Wagner Speaking on
“Artificial Intelligence Part 2”
Stay tuned for additional agenda items to be posted here.
Dinner tickets $30. Use the link below. We need the final count by Apr 8. BBQ / Beef Brisket Buffet.

ACS - Technical Lecture by John Herbert
2026-04-21 15:00 - 16:30 | MGH 111, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, United States
Prof. John Herbert, The Ohio State University
“Multiscale Approximations in Quantum Chemistry: Sometimes a Hammer, Sometimes a Scalpel”
Mary Gladwin Hall 111 at the University of Akron at 3 PM.
(Note: John Herbert will also give the John C. Crano lecture in the evening at the University of Mount Union. The evening Crano lecture is listed as a separate event on this website and dinner tickets are available with that listing)
Afternoon talk abstract:
A family of modern “QM/QM” approximations will be described, which reduce the cost of electronic structure calculations without introducing the ambiguity of any quantum/classical interface. Among these approaches, two will be highlighted. (1) Fragment-based methods that can provide converged ab initio benchmarks in large systems, e.g., for enzymatic thermochemistry and protein–ligand binding. These calculations bring near-exact QM to bear on systems with 1,000+ atoms and enable separation of errors based on approximate quantum chemistry from errors based on finite model size. (2) Hybrid methods for noncovalent interactions, which afford accurate intermolecular interaction energies and also physically meaningful components thereof. We have used these methods to investigate the fundamental molecular physics of π-stacking, with results that upset conventional orthodoxy in supramolecular organic chemistry.
John Herbert Bio:
John Herbert grew up in Newton, KS and attended Kansas State University, initially as a chemical engineering major, before an encounter with the unnatural units of “pounds of mass” and “kilograms of force” sent him fleeing to the natural sciences. He ultimately graduated as a Mathematics and Chemistry dual major, having also been a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar. (He has nothing else in common with Barry Goldwater, so far he can tell.) For graduate school, he attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as a National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellow, where he worked with Prof. John Harriman on projects related to reduced density matrices for electronic structure theory, receiving a Ph.D. in 2003. He was briefly a postdoc with Prof. Anne McCoy at Ohio State University before moving to Prof. Martin Head-Gordon’s group at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was an NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow. He has been a faculty member at The Ohio State University since 2006, holding the rank of Professor since 2014.
Professor Herbert is a past recipient of an NSF CAREER Award and a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), along with fellowships from the Henry & Camille Dreyfus Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. From the American Chemical Society, he has been awarded the Outstanding Junior Faculty Award in Computational Chemistry (2010), the Journal of Physical Chemistry A Lectureship (2013), and the Edward W. Morley Medal (2020). He was the Charles A. Coulson lecturer at the University of Georgia in 2022.
Professor Herbert’s research focuses on the development and application of novel methods and algorithms in electronic structure theory, with specific focus on computational spectroscopy in condensed-phase environments, solvation modeling, photochemistry, and the molecular physics of noncovalent interactions. He has been an active contributor to the Q-Chem software since 2004 and has served on its Board of Directors since 2012.

ACS - John C. Crano Lecture by Prof John Herbert
2026-04-21 17:30 - 20:00 | The University of Mount Union, Hoover-Price Campus Center, Newbold Room (Rm 50), Alliance, OH, 44601, United States
Prof. John Herbert, The Ohio State University
“The Way (Chemical) Things Work: A Quantum Chemist’s Perspective”
The John C. Crano Lecture and Dinner will be given at The University of Mount Union, Newbold Room (Room 50) located in the Hoover-Price Campus Center. The event includes appetizers with a student poster session, networking and dinner.
Schedule:
5 PM: Appetizers, networking, student poster sessions
6 PM: Dinner – vegetarian options available
7 PM: Lecture
Dinner tickets
$30 – Non-ACS Members
$25 – ACS Members
$10 – Students, unemployed, retirees
Free – virtual only attendees. Use the RSVP below; link to be sent prior to event.
Buy dinner tickets at the link below OR RSVP to StuthersRachel@bfusa.com and pay with a credit card at the door.
John Herbert Bio: John Herbert grew up in Newton, KS and attended Kansas State University, initially as a chemical engineering major, before an encounter with the unnatural units of “pounds of mass” and “kilograms of force” sent him fleeing to the natural sciences. He ultimately graduated as a Mathematics and Chemistry dual major, having also been a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar. (He has nothing else in common with Barry Goldwater, so far he can tell.) For graduate school, he attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as a National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellow, where he worked with Prof. John Harriman on projects related to reduced density matrices for electronic structure theory, receiving a Ph.D. in 2003. He was briefly a postdoc with Prof. Anne McCoy at Ohio State University before moving to Prof. Martin Head-Gordon’s group at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was an NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow. He has been a faculty member at The Ohio State University since 2006, holding the rank of Professor since 2014.
Professor Herbert is a past recipient of an NSF CAREER Award and a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), along with fellowships from the Henry & Camille Dreyfus Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. From the American Chemical Society, he has been awarded the Outstanding Junior Faculty Award in Computational Chemistry (2010), the Journal of Physical Chemistry A Lectureship (2013), and the Edward W. Morley Medal (2020). He was the Charles A. Coulson lecturer at the University of Georgia in 2022.
Professor Herbert’s research focuses on the development and application of novel methods and algorithms in electronic structure theory, with specific focus on computational spectroscopy in condensed-phase environments, solvation modeling, photochemistry, and the molecular physics of noncovalent interactions. He has been an active contributor to the Q-Chem software since 2004 and has served on its Board of Directors since 2012.
Evening talk abstract: “The Way (Chemical) Things Work: A Quantum Chemist’s Perspective”
This talk will provide an overview of what quantum chemistry is, targeted for an audience of chemists who don’t work on theory or computation. I will cover some aspects of my own work, such as bringing high-level quantum mechanics methods to bear on systems with hundreds or thousands of atoms (e.g., to address problems in noncovalent ligand binding to proteins, in the context of computer-aided drug discovery). However, much of this talk will focus on how fundamental chemical concepts such as reaction pathways emerge naturally from quantum chemistry calculations. I will describe quantum chemistry’s place in the scientific ecosystem and how it can be understood in simple, qualitative terms.
Note that there is also an afternoon talk at the University of Akron listed as a separate event on this website.

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 until Apr 27: $35 each (Without prior reservation: $40 each, limited number). Reduced Fee for Students: $5!
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:
“Flexoelectricity in Polyelectrolyte Elastomers as Sensors and Energy Harvesters”
Mehdi Sahami, PhD student and Scholarship Winner, The University of Akron
This work focuses on a class of elastomeric materials capable of generating electrical signals under non-uniform mechanical deformation. In other words, these materials can convert mechanical deformation into electrical output, making them promising candidates for sensing and energy harvesting applications.
“From Lab to Road: Testing Rubber for Real-World Performance”
Paul Merda, Education Coordinator/Technical Advisor, ARDL
This presentation explores how laboratory testing methods are used to evaluate and predict the real-world performance of rubber components in applications such as windshield wipers, tires, and engine mounts.
PANEL DISCUSSION: “From Passion to Profession: Paths, Pivots, and Possibilities”
Moderator: Fred Carter, Strategic-Partner, Schooley Mitchell
Panelists: Will Mars, Endurica; Jason Poulton, Semi-Retired; Eric Britton, Materials Engineer, Bridgestone Americas
The goal of the panel will be to highlight some industry professionals with Engineering or PhD backgrounds and how they have progressed to their current position in the industry. We’ll aim to highlight some struggles, victories, and tips/lessons that might be helpful for the students, but also for young professionals.

SPE - Akron Section Awards Ceremony
2026-05-18 17:30 - 20:00 | Raintree Golf and Event Center, 4350 Mayfair Rd, Uniontown, OH, 44685, United States
Please plan to join us for the last meeting of the season as we present various awards and scholarships.
Our Hall of Honor inductee is John Fellenstein, and the William C. Zekan Memorial Service Award will be presented to Fred Carter.
Program information:
5:00 Sign-up and Networking, 5:30 Welcome and Introduction, 6:00 Dinner, 6:45 Keynote Speaker, Awards and Scholarships, Wrap‐up
Deadline May 13: SPE member/guest $30; students $10. Purchase tickets online using the links below. For honorees and one guest for each honoree, the dinner is free, but please reserve the relevant number of places at the RSVP link. Also please use the RSVP link of if you experience difficulty with the online ticketing. If you have questions about the event, please contact Jenny Digiantonio at jenny.akronspe@aol.com.

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, the Akron Section of the American Chemical Society, and the Akron COuncil of Engineering and Scientific Societies.
For paper submission and for online registration go to the event website.
Registration fees: Society Members $40, Non-members $50, Retirees and full-time students $20. Please register by May 7 at 5 PM.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER (2026): Julianna Ly, Associate Conservator of Paintings, Cleveland Museum of Art
Title: “Beneath the Brushstrokes: Investigating Paintings with Microscopy & Spectroscopy Technologies”
CONFIRMED ​INVITED SPEAKERS (2026)
Laura Bruckman, Case Western Reserve University, “Materials Data Science Approach to Fluoroelastomer Crystallization”
Allison Christy, NASA Glenn, “Evaluating Crystallinity in Thermoplastic Composites”
Mike Dunphy, Walsh University, “TBD”
Tony Rollet, Carnegie Mellon, “Can We Predict Fatigue with a Digital Twin of Additive Manufacturing?”
Metin Uz, Cleveland State University, “Functional platforms for exosome bioproduction and isolation”
Courtney Wagner, Kent State University, “TBD”

Polymer Palooza 2026
2026-06-06 13:00 - 17:00 | OH
Join us for Polymer Palooza on June 6th from 1 PM to 5 PM at the Akron Children’s Museum and Lock3 Park. This exciting, free event is brought to you by Akron Children’s Museum, Greater Akron Chamber, Polymer Industry Cluster, The City of Akron and Lock3! Get ready for a day filled with fun, education, and community engagement!
Event Highlights

Explore the World of Polymers: Discover fascinating exhibits and activities focused on polymers and their role in our daily lives.
Meet Our Experts and Vendors: Stay tuned for a list of our amazing polymer experts and vendors who will be showcasing their knowledge and products.

Delicious Downtown Dining
While you’re here, make sure to enjoy the diverse array of downtown Akron restaurants! Check out the options here and treat yourself to a delicious meal!
Parking Information
Parking is a breeze with free parking available at the 51 S. State Street Parking Deck.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn, have fun, and connect with the community at Polymer Palooza! We can’t wait to see you there!

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): Buy tickets using the links below.

ACESS - Summer Picnic and Social Gathering
2026-08-02 12:00 - 15:00 | Cascade Park – Holden Pavillion, 130 Lynn Dr., Hudson, OH, 44236, United States
Planned meal: Hamburgers/ Hot dogs /Sausage plus sides, desserts supplied by attendees plus coffee, and soft drinks.
More information will be posted here as the time approaches.

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 24, 2026.
Cost and Ticketing:
Entry Fee of $165 includes golf, lunch and dinner. Additional round $75. Dinner only $45.
Online ticketing (preferred): Use the links below.

ORG, ACS, SPE - 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: Members and general public $35 each (Without prior reservation: $40 each, limited number available). Students $10.
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.
