IPrime News

IPRIME Annual Meeting (May 27 - May 29, 2008)

Registration is now open. Go to the "Annual Meetings" page for schedule information, registration, and accommodations. Pre & Post Seminar, Workshop, and Short Course information can be found under the "Workshops" and "Short Courses" pages on the IPRIME website.

Pictured at left:
Speakers from 01/15/08 Workshop:
"Synthetic Biomaterials and Biointerfaces" (PDF)

Pictured at left:
Speakers from 01/16/08 Workshop:
"Materials, Devices and Coating Processes for Printed Electronics" (PDF)

Frank Bates Appointed University of Minnesota Regents Professor

Frank Bates, the Department Head of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science since 1999 and a Distinguished McKnight University Professor, was recently appointed as a Regents Professor by the University of Minnesota. This is the highest recognition that can be given to a faculty member by the University. This position recognizes faculty who have made unique contributions to the quality of the University of Minnesota through exceptional accomplishments in teaching, research and scholarship or creative work, and contributions to the public good. Frank is in good Departmental company in his new position, joining existing Regents Professors Ted Davis, Skip Scriven, and Lanny Schmidt and past Regents Professors Rutherford Aris and Neal Amundson.

(posted June 20, 2007)

Professor Tim Lodge Publishes Second Edition of "Polymer Chemistry"

Professor Tim Lodge and Professor Paul C. Hiemenz have published the second edition of Polymer Chemistry. The book provides a well-rounded and articulate examination of polymer properties at the molecular level. It focuses on fundamental principles based on underlying chemical structures, polymer synthesis, characterization and properties. The second edition offers a unique framework for understanding polymers and a logical presentation of topics that can be scaled to meet the needs of introductory as well as more advanced courses in chemistry, materials science and chemical engineering.

Professor Lodge is a principal investigator in the IPRIME Microstructured Polymers program and Director of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of Minnesota.

(posted May 2, 2007)

Short Courses

June 10-15, 2007
Short Course on Rheological Measurements
Click here for the course description and registration.

June 11-13, 2007
Short Course in Coating Process Fundamentals
Click here for the course description and registration.

(updated April 26, 2007)

International Society of Coating Science & Technology Symposium

IPRIME will again cosponsor the International Society of Coating Science and Technology (ISCST) symposium. The 12th in the series continuing biannual symposia will be held in Denver on September 11-13, 2006. The Symposium provides a forum for researchers with both academic and industrial perspectives on coating applications to discuss the latest research on the application and solidification of thin liquid films. The Symposium features contributions on both fundamental and applied research and development from many of the experts in coating process science and technology. This symposium format is designed to provide many opportunities for networking and for the exchange of information between academia and industry. More information on the Symposium and the short courses to be held prior can obtained at the ISCST website: www.iscst.org

(updated July 14, 2006)

International Symposium on Biological Polyesters

IPRIME is cosponsoring the International Symposium on Biological Polyesters (ISBP2006). It will take place at the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis on August 27-31.

ISBP2006 will provide a forum for cross-disciplinary interactions between biologists, biotechnologists, chemists, polymer scientists, and chemical engineers from academia and industry to discuss biological polyesters including polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA) and polylactic acids (PLA). These polymers now increasingly find applications in diverse areas such as biodegradable, biocompatible plastics that can be made from renewable resources. For more information please consult the Conference web page at www.bti.umn.edu/isbp. Early registration ends June 15.

(updated June 26, 2006)

Chris Macosko wins Fernley H. Banbury Award

Chris Macosko has won the 2006 Fernley H. Banbury Award from the ACS Rubber Division “for research using fast melt processing and chemical reactions to create new micro- and nano-structured polymeric materials”. Chris will be giving a seminar. He will receive an engraved plaque, and a check for $3000. Chris will receive the award at the Science and Technology Awards Banquet on May 9, 2006 at the ACS 169th Technical Meeting in Akron, OH.

“The purpose of this award, established in 1986, is to perpetuate the memory of Fernley H. Banbury, the inventor and developer of the internal mixer that bears his name, by honoring innovations of production equipment widely used in the manufacture of rubber or rubber-like articles of importance. This award is sponsored by Farrel Corporation.”

(posted January 10, 2006)

Tim Lodge to lead Materials Research Science Engineering Center (MRSEC)

Distinguished McKnight University Professor Timothy P. Lodge has been selected as the director of the University's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) effective Dec. 1, 2005. Lodge is a professor in both the chemistry and the chemical engineering and materials science departments and a member of the Board of Directors of IPRIME. The MRSEC is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Tim received a bachelor of arts degree in applied mathematics from Harvard in 1975 and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1980. From 1981 to 1982, he served as a National Research Council postdoctoral associate at the National Bureau of Standards. He joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 1982 and has been involved with the MRSEC since its inception in 1998.

His research areas include the study of polymer structure and dynamics and polymer characterization. He and other members of the University's polymer research group are working on research that could have practical applications in everyday life such as improved medical drug delivery, lower-cost compact discs and materials that are biodegradable and better for the environment.

Tim is well known internationally as the current editor of the leading journal in polymer science, Macromolecules, an ACS publication. He also has served on the editorial boards of several other professional journals including the Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal of Polymer Science, and International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization. Tim has authored or co-authored more than 200 articles in the field of polymer science and advised or co-advised more than 30 Ph.D. theses.

During his time at the University, Lodge has earned several awards and honors, including the 2004 Polymer Prize from the American Physical Society and the Institute of Technology George W. Taylor Award for Distinguished Research. He is also an Institute of Technology Distinguished Professor.

Tim replaces former MRSEC director Michael Ward, who accepted a position with New York University.

(posted December 12, 2005)