Historical Colloquium Information

2nd Annual Student Colloquium

Pittsburgh, PA ~ November 2, 2005

The Colloquium began the morning of November 2, 2005, with a keynote presentation by Dr. Frederick Ignatz-Hoover (Flexsys America LP), who disclosed fundamental knowledge to attending students while identifying existing research opportunities.

Following the keynote Dr. Frederick Ignatz-Hoover (Flexsys America LP) were papers by seven graduate students from The University of Akron, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Loughborough University (UK) on a range of topics including rubber testing and dynamic/mechanical properties, biopolymers, and fibers and nanocomposites. Sumana Roy Chowdhury with The University of Akron won the Best Paper Award for her work titled, “Anionic Synthesis of In-Chain Functionalized Polystyrenes by Polymerization of (4-Vinylphenyl)dimethylsilane Followed by Hydrosilation.”

In the afternoon, ten graduate and undergraduate students from Rowan University, Ferris State University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and The University of Akron presented posters on a topics such as conductive rubbers, hydrogel polymers, living polymerization and EPDM polymers. Jeff Sheehan with Carnegie Mellon University won the Best Graduate Poster Award for his work titled, “Effects of Mechanical Properties of PEG-co-PGA/PLA Hydrogels When Functionalized with Varying Groups.” Jay Cline with Ferris State University won the Best Undergraduate Poster Award for his work titled, “Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber.”

We would like to thank Goldkey Processing Ltd., Zeon Chemicals, and Columbian Chemicals Company for sponsoring these awards.

The Student Affairs Committee and Chair Rikki Lamba (Columbian Chemicals Co.) have many new ideas in mind for the next Colloquium in Cincinnati, Ohio, such as bringing the posters into the hallway to maximize visibility and possibly extending the event to two afternoons to capture the largest audiences. The committee is always looking for new members who wish to help the next generation of rubber industry employees achieve their highest potential.

Student Paper Presentations

1. Anionic Synthesis and Chemistry of Thiol-functionalized Polymers by Manuela Ocampo, Chrys Wesdemiotis, Michael Polce and Dr. Roderic P. Quirk, The University of Akron
2. Electrospinning of EPDM Rubber and EPDM/Organoclay Nanocomposites by Ming Wei, Donghee Kang, Zhenghong Tao, Carol Barry and Dr. Joey Mead, University of Massachusetts-Lowell
3. Stability of Polymeric Organolitium Compounds in the Presense of Tetrahydrofuran by Michael Olechnowicz and Dr. Roderic P. Quirk, The University of Akron
4. Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Hydrogels for DNA Delivery by Sidi A. Bendherif, Jeff Sheehan, Newell R. Washburn and Lynn Walker, Carnegie Mellon University
5. Cut Growth in Gum and Black-Filled SBR at High Temperatures by Geoffrey G. Wolff and Dr. Gary R. Hamed, The University of Akron
6. Effect of Nature of Flaw on the Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Vulcanizate by Frederick E. Ngolemasango and Dr. Jane Clarke, Loughborough University (UK)
7. Anionic Synthesis of In-Chain Functionalized Polystyrenes by Polymerization of (4-Vinylphenyl)dimethylsilane Followed by Hydrosilation by Sumana Roy Chowdury and Dr. Roderic P. Quirk, The University of Akron

Student Poster Presentations

1. Elastic and Inelastic Behavior of Filler Rubber Compounds by Xiaoli Chai, Dr. Gary R. Hamed and Dr. Alan N. Gent, The University of Akron
2. Reinforcement of EPR and EPDM by Zinc Dimethacrylate by Clare Wysocki and Dr. Gary R. Hamed, The University of Akron
3. Effect of Efficiency of Sulfur Vulcanization on Properties of Gum and Black-filled NR Compounds by Kanoktip Boonkerd and Dr. Gary R. Hamed, The University of Akron
4. Synthesis of Star-branched Model Polymer Structures by Living Carboncationic Polymerization for Systematic Structure-Property Relationship Studies by Serap Hayat, Kevin Kulbaba and Dr. Judit E. Puskas, The University of Akron
5. Synthesis of Arorescent Polyisobutylenes by Living Carbocationic Polymerization for Systematic Structure-Property Relationship Studies by Lucas Dos Santos, Kevin Kulbaba and Dr. Judit E. Puskas, The University of Akron
6. Effects of Mechanical Properties of PEG-co-PGA/PLA Hydrogels when Functionalized with Varying Groups by Jeff Sheehan and Lynn Walker with Carnegie Mellon University
7. Static Moisture Permeation Effects of Stretched Butyl Rubber Nonwoven Electrospun Membranes by Dan Simpson, Poonsub Threepopnatkul, Dan Murphy and Dr. Joey Mead, University of Massachusetts-Lowell
8. The Effects of High-rate Processing Parameters on the Surface Morphology of Styrene Block Copolymers by Lady P. Jimenez, Qingzhang Zhou and Carol Barry, University of Massachusetts-Lowell
9. Compression Testing of Magneto-rheological Elastomers (MREs) by John Warner, Dustin Kuzan and Paris Von Lockette, Rowan University
10. Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber by Jay Cline and Dr. Matthew Yang, Ferris State University