Faculty Focus: Goodyear Professor Dr. Alamgir Karim By Mark Soucek

DEPARTMENT OF POLYMER ENGINEERING NEWSLETTER | SPRING 2009

We are excited to present the newestaddition to our department, Dr.

Alamgir Karim, as The Goodyear Tire &Rubber Company Professor in PolymerEngineering. A scientist of the highestcaliber with international renown in thefield of nanotechnology, he was hired in November 2008. His addition to the faculty is expected to raise theprominence of the department.

Karim comes to The University of Akron from the Polymers Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg,Md., where he was the group leaderoverseeing nanostructured materialsand a program on the fate ofnanoparticles in biosystems.

While at NIST, he co-founded andbecame director of the NISTCombinatorial Methods Center, a modelpartnership of industry, governmentand academia to accelerate research on fundamental problems in polymerscience and engineering, includingblend phase separation, crystallization,adhesion and wettability, and blockcopolymer ordering. Karim’s roles atNIST also have included serving as theNational Nanotechnology Initiativeliaison for the NIST director.

Among his accomplishments, Karim has authored more than 200publications in refereed journals andconference proceedings, and has editedbooks and encyclopedic articles onnanotechnology. He is a Fellow of theAmerican Physical Society and recipientof the NIST Bronze Medal Award.

For his leadership in developing theNIST Combinatorial Methods Center, he shares a Silver Medal awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“The University is pleased to welcomeDr. Karim to this distinguished position,which has been endowed by a highlysignificant benefactor, The GoodyearTire & Rubber Company,” says Stephen Cheng, dean of UA’s College of Polymer Science andPolymer Engineering.

Proud to join UA, Karim states that itsDepartment of Polymer Engineering,“has the structure, support, researchtools and people essential to be on a growth curve.” He says he also was attracted by Cheng’s vision for the college, and the leadership of Dr. Sadhan Jana as department chair.

Karim hopes to develop new andmultidisciplinary teaching courses in areas such as microfluidics,photovoltaics, or biomaterials in acollaborative learning environment with his colleagues that couple moreclosely with emerging research trendsto educate the next generation ofresourceful and multitalented students.

One of Karim’s current researchinterests is in engineering interfacialnanomaterials for alternate energysolutions, such as through developmentof next generation block copolymerpolymer based solar cells.

“Developing novel processing methods,controlling and characterizing the 3Dnanoscale morphology of promisingpolymeric materials in-situ, and relating

them to device performance is key toexploiting polymers for next generationsolar cell applications,” Karim says.

Other research areas includedeveloping nanofibers andnanoparticles for environmentalsustainability, diagnostics, andtherapeutics in nanomedicine.

Dr. Alamgir Karim

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Message from the Chair By Sadhan Jana

This is an unusual year. I hope you all arekeeping busy with your work during a

very tough time for the U.S. economy. I amroutinely asked if the job cuts in industryand dwindling level of research funding isaffecting us at the University. The answer isyes.

The first effect is a slowdown on studentgraduation, which is a reflection of the non-availability of jobs. For obvious reasons,our Ph.D. candidates are hesitant to turn intheir theses until they land job offers. Bythis time last year, all Ph.D. candidates hadreceived job offers. This year, only a handfulhave received calls for interviews, but nojob offers. The second effect is the news ofalumni losing jobs, which is disheartening.In the past, we were able to assist alumnifinding jobs, but this is a very unusual year.Additionally, some industrially sponsoredresearch programs in the department wereaffected by research budget cuts. Weexpect to face much stiffer competition in coming years to obtain federal funding.Nevertheless, not everything is grim. Visit us sometime, we will offer you agenuine smile!

Professor Robert A. Weiss, DistinguishedProfessor of Chemical Engineering at the

University of Connecticut, will join ourdepartment in December 2009 to fill anendowed chair. This will increase our full-time faculty strength to 14. We will soon begin a search for a 15th facultymember in the area of devices and sensors.

The Polymer Processing Center, a newlaboratory building that will house additionalfaculty offices and laboratories, is due tobreak ground this summer. We expect it tobe ready for occupancy by September 2010.

I began my second term as chair on Nov. 1,2008. Several best practices developedduring my first term will be continued. Oneis the alumni reception at ANTEC/NPE 2009.You will learn more about this event laterfrom Sarah Thorley. Another is Alumni Day, which will now be held once every two years.

I wish you and your family many happymoments. Please visit us sometime for that smile!

Sadhan C. JanaDepartment Chair2

Dr. Sadhan C. Jana

Mark Your Calendar 2009

May 12-13 Waterborne and InnovativeCoatings: Sink or Swim 2009,Annual Technical SymposiumThe University of Akron

June 22-24 ANTEC at NPE 2009, International Plastics ShowcaseMcCormick Place Chicago, Ill.

June 22 Alumni Reception at ANTECDetails TBA

Oct. 13-15 ACS Rubber Division Technical Meeting and Rubber Expo Lawrence Convention CenterPittsburgh, Pa.

Oct. 15-17 Society of Women EngineersNational ConferenceLong Beach Convention CenterLong Beach, Calif.

Oct. 28- Society of HispanicNov. 1 Professional Engineers

Annual ConferenceWashington Convention Center Washington, D.C.

Nov. 8-13 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting Gaylord Opryland Hotel Nashville, Tenn.

Nov. 13-19 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and ExpositionWalt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

We Want to Hear From You!Alumni, we would like to hear from you — newjobs, new degrees, new family — we welcomeyour news, photos and any other items youwould like to share with your fellow alums!Please direct updates and correspondence to:

Sarah A. ThorleyCoordinator of Academic ProgramsDepartment of Polymer EngineeringThe University of AkronAkron, OH 44325-0301, USAPhone 330-972-8845Fax 330-258-2339E-mail sarah3@uakron.eduhttp: www.poly-eng.uakron.edu

EditorsMark D. Soucek; Sarah Thorley

Connect With DPE is published by the Department of Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron for DPE alumni,students, faculty, contract professionals,staff and friends.

Alumni Focus: Dr. James Scobbo by Cheryl Slusarczyk

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As one of the first three program graduates, Dr. James Scobbo M.S. ’86,Ph.D., ’89, is a prime example of the core of enthusiasm of initial students

in the Department of Polymer Engineering.

A native of Morristown, N.J., who was raised in Stow, Ohio, Scobbo says itwas the exposure to polymers he received during an undergraduate co-opassignment at BFGoodrich that ignited his interest in the polymer field.

“As I was working on my bachelor’s in chemical engineering, I decided that I wanted to go into more depth in the plastics field, and Akron had aworld-class reputation,” Scobbo recalls. “Being an engineer, the new program at Akron in polymer engineering was an excellent fit.”

Through his master’s degree work, Scobbo found he enjoyed doing theresearch and wanted to spend more time gaining depth, so the decision topursue a Ph.D. was an easy one. “Having already completed a master’s, I had ‘capacity’ to take additional courses so I pursued a master’s in physics inparallel.” The most significant skill Scobbo says he gained from his graduateeducation was the ability to objectively solve problems, going in-depth and at the same time multitasking to manage his commitments.

He began his career as a staff researcher focusing on polymer blends at GE Corporate Research and Development. He then moved into roles in GE Plastics, including analytical physicist, product developer, Black Belt,group leader and manager. Currently, he resides in Evansville, Ind., where he is manager of materials characterization and testing for SABIC-Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics), where he has served the company for 20 years.

Scobbo also has made time for other professional interests. His contributions to book chapters on polymer blends for editors Don Paul, Clive Bucknall and Les Utracki are highlights of his career. “It was quite anhonor to see my name among the list of chapter authors.” He also teachesshort courses on polymer blends in the United States, Pacific Rim and Europe, where he enjoys meeting and interacting with world experts.

When he’s not focused on polymers, Scobbo can be found at his son’s ball games and scouting events, or, at a racetrack participating in highperformance driving events. “You’ll see me sliding one of my cars around the pavement at extreme speeds, burning through tires and brake pads,” he says with a smile.

Scobbo, who travels to Akron periodically, says he enjoys seeing the success that so many of his colleagues are having in their careers, and credits his adviser with contributing to his own. “Professor NobuyukiNakajima challenged me technically and provided realistic insights onorganizational dynamics.”

What words of advice does he have for today’s polymer engineeringstudents?

“Look at change as an opportunity —don’t define yourself or your careergoals too narrowly,” says Scobbo.“As markets and technologieschange, the need for specificengineering expertise will change,but the need for good problemsolvers will always be present.”

Dr. James Scobbo

“And the Winner Is...” ALUMNI, FACULTY AND STUDENT NEWS, AWARDS AND GRANTS

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Dr. Kwang-Jea Kim

Dr. Kwang-Jea Kim (Ph.D. 1998)Along with Drs. Rakesh Gupta and Elliot Kennel of West Virginia University, Kim co-compiled the Polymer Engineering Handbook, CRC Press, April 2009. Kim also co-wrote the chapters: “Overview of Challenges and Opportunities” with Gupta and Kennel; “Nanoparticle Dispersion and Reinforcementby Surface Modification with Additives for RubberCompounds” and “Dispersion of AgglomeratedNanoparticles in Rubber Processing, both with James L. White. The book includes 19 chapters authored by world leaders in nanocomposite research. Kim is a professor at Gyeongsang NationalUniversity in South Korea and remains affiliated withUA’s Institute of Polymer Engineering.

Dr. Jairo Perillo (Ph.D. 2004)September 2008 – An assistant professor at the National University of Colombia, Perillo was recognized by the University’s Counsel of EngineeringFaculty for his outstanding research activities.

Amrutheswar Puttarudraiah (M.S. 2003)Fall 2008 – Accepted a new position as catalyst and product development specialist at Flint Hills Resources (KOCH Industries) in Longview, Texas.

Dr. Chang Hoon Song (M.S. 1994/Ph.D. 1999)April 2009 – Co-authored a book chapter with Avraam Isayev, “Nanocomposites of Liquid CrystallinePolymers Dispersed in Polyester Matrices,” for thePolymer Engineering Handbook to be published byCRC Press. Song is senior research scientist with Colortech in Morristown, Tenn.

Dr. Ximei Sun (Ph.D. 2007)Fall 2008 – Is now working as a materials scientist atZpower, Inc. in Camarillo, Calif.

ALUMNI

Hongyan Chen (M.S. 2008)Dr. Wenyi Huang (Ph.D. 2006)Hongyan Chen and husband Dr. Wenyi Huang announce the birth of their first child, a son, LouisZican Huang, on Aug. 31, 2008. Chen is a graduate student in statistics at UA and Huang is a post-doc in the department to his former adviser, Dr. Chang Dae Han.

Dr. Rajesh Gomatam (Ph.D. 2002)Co-edited with K.L. Mittal, “Electrically ConductiveAdhesives.” Leiden, The Netherlands: VSP, 2008.

Also guest edited “Electrically Conductive Adhesives,Part 1,” No. 8-9, and “Electrically Conductive Adhesives, Part 2,” No. 14, both in the Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, Vol. 22 (2008). Gomatam is a software developer for ERP Integrationat OSISoft, Inc. in Philadelphia.

Dr. Chang Kook Hong (Ph.D. 2001)Co-authored a book chapter with Jue Lu and Richard Wool, “Bio-based Nanocomposites fromFunctionalized Plant Oils” in the Polymer EngineeringHandbook to be published in April 2009 by CRC Press. Hong is a professor at Chonnam National University in South Korea.

Dr. Zehra Kalkan (Ph.D. 2006)Dr. Zehra Kalkan and her husband, Selim Sevinc, announce the birth of their first child, a son, Emir, on Sept. 28, 2008. Kalkan is principal engineer withBaxter Healthcare Corporation in Illinois.

Dr. Jin Kuk Kim (Ph.D. 1990)Co-authored a book chapter with Marissa Pagalicawan and V. Sridhar, “Utility of CarbonaceousNanofillers in Elastomers and Thermoplastic Elastomeric Gels” in the Polymer Engineering Handbook to be published in April 2009 by CRC Press.Kim is a professor of polymer science and polymer engineering at Gyeongsang National University inSouth Korea.

Hemant Thakkar

Hemant Thakkar (M.S. 2003)December 2008 – Accepted a new position as polymerengineer in the Materials Laboratory of Greene, Tweed & Company in Kulpsville, Pa.

FACULTY

Dr. Miko Cakmak

Dr. Miko CakmakFebruary 2009 – For his work on artificial pancreastechnology, Cakmak and Dr. Joseph Kennedy, polymer science, received the 2009 NorTech Innovation Award in the biosciences category. The two collaborated to make a biocompatible, polymer-coated nanofiber tube populated with insulin-producing cells from a pig. The implantable device has the potential to become the first long-term cure for diabetes.

November 2008 – Received $21,000 from MainstreamEngineering Corporation for “Characterization of Highly Loaded Nanocomposites.”

Dr. Mark FosterAugust 2008 – Promoted to associate dean of programs, policies and engagement for the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. Additionally, Foster serves as director for the Akron Global Polymer Academy. He joined UA in 1990, becoming a full professor in 1999. Since then, Foster has served the college in other capacities, including department chair of Polymer Science (2005-2008) and associate director of the Akron Global Polymer Academy (2004-2008).

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AwardsGrants

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Dr. James L. WhiteApril 2009 – Co-authored two book chapters with Kwang-Jea Kim, “Nanoparticle Dispersion and Reinforcement by Surface Modification with Additives for Rubber Compounds” and Dispersion ofAgglomerated Nanoparticles in Rubber Processing”for the Polymer Engineering Handbook to be publishedin April 2009 by CRC Press.

STUDENTS

Neelakandan ChandrasekaranFebruary 2009 – Selected as a 2009-10 recipient of theOhio Agricultural Science and Bioproducts ResearchScholarship. The Ohio Soybean Council made this $5,000 award on the basis of research focused on the development and use of biobased products and materials derived from soybeans. Chandrasekaran is a fourth year doctoral student with Dr. Thein Kyu.

February 2009 – Delivered the lecture, “Developmentof Multifunctional Polymer Membranes via Phytochemical Modification for Hemodialysis Applications” during the Department of Polymer Engineering’s Spring 2009 Seminar Series.

Kelley Student Award winner, Neelakandan Chandrasekaran (center) with his adviser, Dr. Thein Kyu (left), and Dean Emeritus Frank N. Kelley.

September 2008 – Was chosen as the polymer engineering student recipient of the 2008 Frank N. Kelley Student Awards in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. The award carries a $3,000 prize and is presented annually to one student each in polymer engineering and in polymer science.

Jaesun ChoiNovember 2008 – Received an Excellence in Engineering Plastics Award for 2008 from Ticona at a luncheon ceremony on Nov. 18, 2008. The award isgiven to a second year student based upon high GPAand Ph.D. qualifying scores. Choi is a second yeardoctoral student studying with Dr. Avraam Isayev.

Kaan GunesFebruary 2009 – Delivered the lecture, “UltrasonicallyAssisted Extrusion of Blends of Polyesters and Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymers” during theDepartment of Polymer Engineering’s Spring 2009Seminar Series. Gunes is a fifth year doctoral studentwith Dr. Avraam Isayev.

Sedat Gunes (first row, second from right) with fellow award winners at the MRS conference.

Sedat GunesDecember 2008 – Was selected as a Silver Awardwinner for the Materials Research Society GraduateStudent Award at its fall 2008 meeting. Finalists areselected from leading universities in the field of materials science and engineering. In addition to giving a talk on his research, Gunes was honored during ceremonies on Dec. 3 in Boston. Gunes is afifth year doctoral student with Dr. Sadhan Jana.

September 2008 – Delivered the lecture, “ShapeMemory Polyurethane Nanocomposites” during the Department of Polymer Engineering’s Fall 2008Seminar Series.

Alexei MelnikovNovember 2008 – Received an Excellence in Engineering Plastics Award for 2007 from Ticona at a luncheon ceremony on Nov. 18, 2008. The award isgiven to a second year student based upon high GPAand Ph.D. qualifying scores. Melnikov is now a thirdyear doctoral student studying with Dr. Arkady Leonov.

ORG Scholarship Committee Chair Joel Neilsen with award winner Alexei Melnikov.

November 2008 – Was selected as one of two recipients for an Ohio Rubber Group (ORG) GraduateStudent Award of $2,000. He was honored at a luncheon ceremony in January with members of ORG and the college. Joel Nielsen of Sid RichardsonCarbon Co., and chair of the ORG Scholarship Committee presented the award. Melnikov will attend local ORG technical meetings, culminating in a presentation of his research.

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Continued On Page 6

Dr. Chang Dae HanFebruary 2009 – Received $84,801 in continuing monies from the National Science Foundation for “Basic Study on Novel Molecule-based Magnetic Polymers and Homogenous Magnetic Fluids.”

Dr. Avraam IsayevApril 2009 – Co-authored a book chapter with ChangHoon Song, “Nanocomposites of Liquid Crystalline Polymers Dispersed in Polyester Matrices” in the Polymer Engineering Handbook to be published in April 2009 by CRC Press.

November 2008 – Received $3,000 in continuing monies from Nike, Inc. for unrestricted research for devulcanization of rubber samples.

October 2008 – Received $4,000 in continuing monies from Lonza, Inc. for unrestricted research for compounding samples.

Dr. Sadhan JanaFebruary 2009 – Awarded $125,223 by the U.S. Army for “Dispersion of Nanoscale Alumina in Carrier Fluids for Optimum Energetics.”

January 2009 – Became associate editor of Polymer Engineering & Science.

January 2009 – Delivered the keynote address,“Nanocomposites of Rubbery Polymers: An Engineer’s View,” at IRE09, 2009 India Rubber Exposition and International Conference held in Kolkata, Jan. 28-31, 2009.

November 2008 – Awarded $68,503 from Momentive Performance Materials Quartz for “Optimum Process Conditions for Boron Nitride for Production of Thermally Conductive Polymer Compounds.”

Dr. Thein KyuJanuary 2009 – Received $100,000 from ACS Petroleum Research Fund for “Photoisomerization Induced Mesophase Transitions in Mixtures of Crystalline Liquid Crystalline Azobenzene with Photocurable Mesogenic Monomers.”

Dr. Kyonsuku MinOctober 2008 – Awarded $95,286 from Sekisui ChemicalCo., Ltd., to support visiting scientist, Nobuhiko Inui, for “Studies of Morphology Control of Immiscible Polymer Blends by Using Supercritical Fluids and Electron Beam Treatment.”

Dr. Mark SoucekOctober 2008 – Received $86,510 from New Soya Based Reactive Diluents and Alkyd Coatings for his work on “New Soya Based Reactive Diluents and Alkyd Coatings.”

August 2008 – Awarded $500,000 by the University ofDayton Research Institute/sub of ODOD for “ProtectiveIntegrative Coatings for Extreme Environments.”

Aw

ards

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Could sonic booms stop hurricanes? by Denise Henry, Institutional Marketing

Dr. Arkady Leonov

University of Akron Professor of PolymerEngineering and Joint Professor of

Theoretical and Applied Mathematics Dr. Arkady Leonov has come up with anovel means to stop a hurricane, and his discovery has received a storm ofattention from science writers across the globe.

Leonov’s concept, under patent applicationand titled “Hurricane Suppression bySupersonic Boom,” reveals that hurricanescan be destabilized with the ultrasonicboom produced by jet fighters. Leonovexplains that jets, flying at supersonicspeeds clockwise around an eye of ahurricane, would suppress the storm.

“Our main idea is to destabilize hurricanesusing a small energy supply and aninexpensive andenvironmentally friendlymethod,” says Leonov, who explains thattheories posed in the past came withimplications such as nuclear physicistEdward Teller’s idea to use a nuclear bombto destroy a hurricane. While the methodhas promise of success, it would infect the ocean for years, Leonov says. Anotherconcept, presented by Israeli scientists, to use chemicals to draw rain from theclouds, would not stifle the primary culprit: the hurricane, Leonov explains.

Describing hurricanes as huge, stable,natural aerodynamic and thermodynamicmachines that rotate counterclockwise,Leonov says that the pressure outside themost active hurricane cylinder, or eye wall,is greater than that in the hurricane center.He also explains that the upward verticalairflow in the eye wall delivers air withhumidity to a condensation level of about 1.5 kilometers. This condensationreleases heat and significantly increasestemperatures, which he says is imperativeto overcome the stability threshold forexistence of the upper part of a hurricane.

“Our method will hopefully destabilize allthree components in stable hurricanes.Although the ultrasonic boom created by the jet fighters is localized, it hasoverwhelming energy as compared withthat of local air masses in the hurricane,”Leonov says. “Choosing slightlydescending spiral trajectories flying in aclockwise direction will drastically increasethe local pressure inside the hurricane,destabilize the direction of air rotation and stop the upward supply of wet air.”

While hurricane speeds of about 150kilometers per hour are not dangerous tofighter jets flying at desired supersonicspeeds of up to 1,800 kilometers per hour,the pilots would contend with heavy fogand acceleration, or g-factor, during turns, Leonov explains.

“Skillful pilots can hopefully overcomethese challenges,” says Leonov. He points out that a turning radius of about200 kilometers creates an approximate 4 g-factor, which is less than half of theoverloads with which skilled pilots havebeen trained.

Working in various areas of applied mathand physics including geophysical fluiddynamics, Leonov decided to patent hisidea when he was working alone withoutfunding on theoretical models after 2005Hurricane Katrina’s devastating effects.Recently completed and preliminarilypublished, Leonov’s research is aimed at understanding hurricane physics and dynamics.

In February 2008, Leonov presentedresults of his hurricane research,“Aerodynamic Models for Hurricanes:Hurricane Genesis, Functioning,Propagation and Suppression,” throughtwo UA Department of Theoretical andApplied Mathematics seminars. Theseresults have been primarily published in arXiv.org electronic journal.

“In spite of being purely theoretical, it might be used for forecastinghurricanes easily,” Leonov says. “Thepatent application is a byproduct of this understanding, signaling thatsomething should be done to preventhurricane consequences.”

Leonov says the “stir” made by hisdiscovery might prompt U.S. Air Forcetests, which could require several F-4 jetfighters flying at maximum supersonicspeeds of about 1,800 kilometers per hour with safety measures and hurricane fogorientation fully in check.

�Ticona Awards: 2008 Winners Cheng Qu and Jaesun Choi with 2007 Winners Setareh Niknezhad and Alexei Melnikov.

Setareh NiknezhadReceived an Excellence in Engineering Plastics Award for 2007 from Ticona at a luncheon ceremony on Nov. 18, 2008. The award is given to a second year student based upon high GPA and Ph.D. qualifying scores. Niknezhad is now a third year doctoral student studying with Dr. Avraam Isayev.

Cheng QuNovember 2008 – Received an Excellence in Engineering Plastics Award for 2008 from Ticona at a luncheon ceremony on Nov. 18, 2008. The award is given to a second year student based upon high GPA and Ph.D. qualifying scores. Qu is second year doctoral student with Dr. Kyonsuku Min.

ORG Scholarship Committee Chair Joel Neilsen with award winner Jason Randall.

Jason RandallNovember 2008 – Was selected as one of two recipients for an Ohio Rubber Group (ORG) Graduate Student Award of $2,000. He was honored at a luncheon ceremony in January with members of ORG and the college. Joel Nielsen of Sid Richardson Carbon Co., and chair of the ORG Scholarship Committee presented the award. Randall will attend local ORG technical meetings culminating in a presentation of his research. He is a fourth year doctoral student studying with Dr. Sadhan Jana.

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Winners Continued

News Notes for Alumni by Sarah Thorley

Hello Alumni! I have a few newsworthy notes for you…

First, NPE2009: The International PlasticsShowcase will take place June 22-26, 2009, inChicago at McCormick Place. NPE is so vast thatit is only held every three years. According to itsWeb site (www.npe.org), “Nearly 2,000 companieswill exhibit on 1 million square feet … more than a third of them coming from outside theUnited States. Approximately 75,000 plasticsprofessionals from 120 countries are expected to attend.”

This year, for the very first time, NPE is co-locating simultaneously with a number of technical conferences, including:

• SPE’s ANTEC 2009• Federation of Societies for Coatings

Technology (FSCT) Coatings for Plastics Conference

• International Plastics Design Competition• Moldmaking Expo 2009• PET Strategies Plus Conference• Seminario Latino Americano en Espanol• Business of Plastics• Time Compression Conference &

Expo (TC Expo)

ANTEC is partnering with NPE 2009 to providemore than 750 technical presentations and peer-reviewed papers. While NPE 2009 runs

a full week, the ANTEC meeting will be held June 22-24, 2009.

As in recent years, the Department of PolymerEngineering will host a reception for alumni. This year, the event will take place on June 22from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The location has yet to bedetermined, but you will receive an e-mailannouncement from me (please make sure I have your current e-mail address!) and it will beposted on the department’s Web site. Please mark your calendars to join your colleagues,former faculty, and current graduate students and guests for a drink and light hors d’oeuvres.

Second, as the world around us tightens its belt, so must we. Therefore, we have decided to host Alumni Day every other year. Since thedepartment held its 25th Anniversary Celebrationlast fall and welcomed back so many alumni atthat time, the next DPE Alumni Day will be held inOctober 2010. The next Distinguished AlumniAward also will be awarded at that time.

Finally, it has been encouraging to hear from so many of you, whether by e-mail or personalvisits back to the department. As always, I askthat each of you keep me updated on yourwhereabouts and contact information so that we do not lose touch and I can keep you informedon happenings in the department and on campus.Please know that you will always be welcomedback to your “second home” and I wish you wellin your journeys. Cheers!

Polymer Engineering Student Organization by Alexei Melnikov

The purpose of the Polymer Engineering StudentOrganization is to provide a better social

environment in the department and to helpstudents achieve their career goals. The 2008-09PESO officers are Alexei Melnikov, president;Amy Blake, vice president; Ratan Mishra,secretary; Numan Erden, treasurer; and, KrystleDzienis, coordinator. PESO also serves as a local student chapter for the Society of PlasticEngineers (SPE).

Since August 2008, PESO has participated in New Student Orientation and a luncheon to help new students adapt to their newenvironment. We helped them to understand thesystem of our department and, since many of thenew students were international, we gave themsome general insight about life on campus and in the U.S.

Early in the fall, PESO organized a camping tripduring which students and some faculty membersspent a weekend having a great time in one ofOhio’s beautiful parks. This experience helpedstudents to get to know each other better, buildfriendships and just relax before studies became

intense. PESO funded the camping site and theequipment rental as well as some food expenses.

Other recreation activities included a bowlingnight for students and their families in the StudentUnion Game room, complete with free pizza andbeverages. It's always good to relax and have fun with close friends.

However, fun is not our only purpose. Togetherwith the Society of Plastic Engineers, PESOorganized a plant tour of Ferriot, Inc. to learnmore about industrial prospects and interact withcurrent factory engineers. Additionally, PESOorganized a meeting with an engineer fromEastman Chemical Company who spoke tostudents about career opportunities and futuretrends in the field.

PESO also sponsored the traditional Christmasparty for students and their family members,faculty, staff and friends. Everyone was welcometo bring their own national food. Since thedepartment has students from countries all overthe world, it was possible to try a wide variety offoods. Some very talented cooks were revealed!

For spring semester, PESO plans a careerroundtable with outside speakers, as well as a Polymer Awareness Day for students fromsurrounding high schools in conjunction with the College of Engineering’s See UA SummerCamp. Other spring activities include movienights, paint-ball and ice skating. Graduate lifedoes not have to be boring!

Spring 2009 Graduate Student Demographics

Program9 Master’s61 Ph.D.s

Gender19 Female51 Male

Enrollment5 Part-time65 Full-time

Race42 Asian1 Black3 Hispanic24 White

Residency2 Permanent residents13 Native55 Foreign

15 Countries Represented1 Bangladesh1 Brazil18 China1 Colombia10 India3 Iran1 Japan1 Malaysia1 Mexico1 Peru4 South Korea4 Taiwan2 Thailand7 Turkey15 United States

Year in Program15 First year15 Second year12 Third year12 Fourth year16 Fifth year or older

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Surrounding a cake with Merry Christmas iced in different languages are students representing asampling of DPE dirversity. From left are Amy Blake,U.S.; Elif Alyamac, Turkey; Alexei Melnikov and son,Dimitry, Russia; Rishi Kumar, India; and NumanErden, Turkey.

The University of Akron continues its ambitious New Landscape for

Learning building program with theconstruction of a $61.6 million stadiumon campus. Kickoff for the first game is slated for Sept. 12, 2009, againstMorgan State.

Under the innovative leadership of President Luis M. Proenza, theUniversity has added 15 new facilitiesand 34 acres of green space, andundertaken numerous renovations and additions. Our very own PolymerEngineering Academic Center, which opened in 2001, was the firstbuilding in the program. Since then,construction has included a Student

Union, Student Recreation andWellness Center, Stile Athletics Field House, College of Arts andSciences Building, Honors Complex,Exchange Street Residence Hall andparking decks.

The new facility is named InfocisionStadium and Summa Field —acknowledging significant gifts by Gary Taylor ’75 and ’77, and his wife,Karen, the founders of Infocision, as well as by Summa Health Care System. It will have seating for 25,000spectators, with standing room for anadditional 5,000. Besides generaladmission and season ticket seating,club and loge seats, and luxury suites,will be available.

The stadium is located off ExchangeStreet in the area you will remember as the “Zip Strip.” When complete, thesoutheast corner of campus will housethe University’s entire athletic complex,including Infocision Stadium, StileAthletics Field House, the StudentRecreation and Wellness Center, JamesA. Rhodes Arena, Oliver J. OcasekNatatorium, Lee Jackson Field andanother residence hall complex.

To view live video of the stadiumprogress as well as other stadiumphotos and articles, please visitwww.uakron.edu/stadium.

8The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution © 2009 by The University of Akron / 309-PS-2

UA Welcomes New Stadium by Sarah Thorley

Infocision Stadium

Architectural rendering courtesy of HNTB Architecture, Inc. shows the impact Infocision Stadium and Summa Field will have on the campus and surrounding area.