Polymer Engineering Faculty Research
The Department of Polymer Engineering is part of the world-renowned College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at UA, which has about 40 full-time faculty and 350 graduate students and postdoctoral research associates studying the chemistry, physics and engineering of polymeric materials and systems.
The Center for Polymer Engineering was created in 1983 and the Department of Polymer Engineering in 1984. In 1988 the Center was renamed the Institute of Polymer Engineering. The Department is currently comprised of 15 full-time faculty and approximately 140 graduate students. DPE is housed in three buildings -- the 32,000 sq. ft. Polymer Engineering Academic Center (PEAC); the 70,000 sq. ft. Sidney L. Olson Research Center (OLRC); and the 43,000 sq. ft. National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC).
The Department of Polymer Engineering is strictly a graduate department, offering both the M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Polymer Engineering. The Department awards about 50 Ph.D. and M.S degrees each year. We are pleased that our graduates have gone on to successful careers in industry, government service, and academia throughout the world. Additionally, there are undergraduate students in the College of Engineering and the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences who often work on either independent projects with DPE faculty or who take some of our courses that are suitable as electives for majors in engineering and the physical sciences.
Our faculty members are recognized worldwide for their contributions to polymer research and education, as well as service to the polymer field. The faculty have been recognized with numerous awards and distinctions, ranging from the International Award of the Society of Plastics Engineers and the Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, to Fellowships in major polymer-related societies, such as the American Physical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science , American Chemical Society, and the Society of Plastics Engineers. In addition, our younger faculty have been recognized with Faculty Early Career Awards from the National Science Foundation. DPE faculty are actively engaged in various scientific organizations, edit several scientific journals, and have written a number of textbooks and monographs.
Submissions from 2004
The Effect of Excimer Laser Irradiation on the Self-adhesion Properties of Some Engineering Polymers as Evaluated by Ultrasonic Welding, Erol Sancaktar and Hui Lu
The effects of excimer laser irradiation on the surface morphology and self-adhesion properties of some engineering polymers as evaluated by ultrasonic welding, Erol Sancaktar and Hui Lu
Correlation of silver migration to the pull out strength of silver wire embedded in an adhesive matrix, Erol Sancaktar, Pankaj Raiput, and Amit Khanolkar
Effects of calcium carbonate, talc, mica, and glass-fiber fillers on the ultrasonic weld strength of polypropylene, Erol Sancaktar and Eric Walker
Effect of Additional Hydroxyl Functionalities on the Hydrolytic Stability of Oligoesters , Mark Soucek
Hydrolytic Stability of Oligoesters: Comparison of Steric with Anchimeric Effects, Mark Soucek
New Intramolecular Effect Observed for Polyesters: An Anomeric Effect, Mark Soucek
Synthesis of Cycloaliphatic Substituted Silane Monomers and Polysiloxanes for Photo-Curing, Mark Soucek
Ternary Evaluation of UV-Curable Seed Oil Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Coatings Using Experimental Design, Mark Soucek
UV-Curable Organic-Inorganic Hybrid film Coatings Based on Epoxidized Cyclohexene Derivatized Linseed Oil, Mark Soucek
The suppression of strain induced crystallization in PET through sub micron TiO2 particle incorporation, Atsushi Taniguchi and Mukerrem Cakmak
Dynamics, Diffusion, and Dissolution in Ultrathin Photoresist Films, Bryan Vogt
Effect of Film Thickness on the Validity of the Sauerbrey Equation for Hydrated Polyelectrolyte Films, Bryan Vogt
Fundamental mechanisms of superlinear growth in hydrogen bonded layer-by-layer assembled polymer films, Bryan Vogt
Measurements of water distribution in thin lithographic films, Bryan Vogt
Moisture Absorption and Absorption Kinetics in Polyelectrolyte Films:â Influence of Film Thickness, Bryan Vogt
Superstructural hierarchy developed in coupled high shear/high thermal gradient conditions of injection molding in nylon 6 nanocomposites, B. Yalcin and Mukerrem Cakmak
The role of plasticizer on the exfoliation and dispersion and fracture behavior of clay particles in PVC matrix: a comprehensive morphological study, B. Yalcin and Mukerrem Cakmak
Submissions from 2003
Design of a Static Temperature Scanning Ultrasonic Measurement System and Application to Multi-phase Polymer Systems., G. Adebayo and Mukerrem Cakmak
Raman Spectroscopy as an On-line Technique to Monitor Shear Flow Effect on Partially Miscible Polymer Blends., G. Adebayo, P. Koombhongse, and Mukerrem Cakmak
Modeling Single Molecule Spectral Shifts and Organically Modified Silicates, Hendrik Heinz
Simple Energy Models and Simulation of Organically Modified Silicates, Hendrik Heinz
A study on the use of phenoxy resins as compatibilizer of polyamide 6 (PA6) and polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT)., Sadhan Jana
Chaotic mixing: a new technology for polymer blending, Sadhan Jana
Effect of Plasticization of Epoxy Networks by Organic Modifier on Exfoliation of Nanoclay, Sadhan Jana
Mechanism of Exfoliation of Nanoclay Particles in EpoxyâClay Nanocomposites, Sadhan Jana
The relationship between nano- and micro-structures and mechanical properties in PMMA-epoxy-nanoclay composites, Sadhan Jana
Real time development of structure in partially molten state stretching of PP as detected by spectral birefringence technique, Yutaka Koike and Mukerrem Cakmak
Modeling of Fast Contraction Flows of Polymers, Arkadii Leonov
On the Weak Nematic Elasticity, Arkadii Leonov
Rheology of Polyamide-6/Clay Based Layered Silicate Nanocomposites, Arkadii Leonov
Electrostatic nanolithography in polymers using atomic force microscopy, Sergei F. Lyuksyutov, Richard A. Vaia, Pavel B. Paramonov, Shane Juhl, Lynn Waterhouse, Robert M. Ralich, Grigori Sigalov, and Erol Sancaktar
Uniaxial stretching of PLA using fully automated on-line birefringence coupled with true stress - true strain measurement - part I: stretching rate effects, Jake H. Mulligan and Mukerrem Cakmak
Kinetic studies of polyurethane polymerization with Raman spectroscopy, Shane Parnell, K. Min, and Mukerrem Cakmak
Use of polymeric emeraldine salt for conductive adhesive applications, Erol Sancaktar and Chengjun Liu
Increasing strength of single lap joints of metal adherends by taper minimization, Erol Sancaktar and Prasad Nirantar
The influence of lipid spreading and wettability gradients on tear film breakup, David Simmons
Amplification effect of platelet type nanoparticles on the orientation behavior of injection molded nylon 6 composites, B. Yalcin, D. Valladares, and Mukerrem Cakmak
Submissions from 2002
Development of structural hierarchy during uniaxial drawing of PEEK/PEI blends from amorphous precursors, S. Bicakci and Mukerrem Cakmak
Kinetics of rapid structural changes during heat setting of preoriented PEEK/PEI blend films as followed by spectral birefringence technique, S. Bicakci and Mukerrem Cakmak
Initiation and development of the heat-affected zone in the vibration welding of polyvinylidene fluoride and its copolymers, Mukerrem Cakmak and D. Valladares
Effect of Processing Conditions on the Development of Morphology in Clay Nanoparticle Filled Nylon 6 Fibers, Zeynep Ergungor, Mukerrem Cakmak, and Celal Batur
Deformation behavior of rubber blends investigated by a new real time spectral birefringence system, Francesca Fiorentini and Mukerrem Cakmak
Dynamics of Alkane Chains on Mica, Hendrik Heinz
Ultrasound Assisted Continuous Process for Making Polymer Blends and Copolymers, Avraam Isayev
Natural fiber composites of high-temperature thermoplastic polymers: Effects of coupling agents, Sadhan Jana
On the development of natural fiber composites of high-temperature thermoplastic polymers, Sadhan Jana
Natural fiber composites of high-temperature thermoplastic polymers: Effects of coupling agents, Sadhan Jana and Alberto Prieto
Evolution of phase behavior and orientation in uniaxially deformed polylactic acid films, G. Kokturk, E. Piskin, Mukerrem Cakmak, and T. F. Serhatkulu
Nonlinear Viscoelastic Mechanics of Cross-Linked Rubbers, Arkadii Leonov
Basic mechanisms of structural ordering in uniaxial stretching of PLA using fully automated on-line birefringence coupled with true stress - true strain measurement, Jake Mulligan, Mukerrem Cakmak, and T. Z. Sen
Proceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Division-2002, Erol Sancaktar
The effect of natural rubber crosslink density on real time birefringence, true stress and true strain behavior, D. Valladares, S. Toki, T. Z. Sen, B. Yalcin, and Mukerrem Cakmak
The Effect of Natural Rubber Crosslink Density on Real Time Birefringence, True Stress and True Strain Behavior, D. Valladares, S. Toki, T. Z. Sen, B. Yalcin, and Mukerrem Cakmak
Submissions from 2001
Kinetics of structural evolution during crystallization of preoriented PET as followed by dual wavelength photometric birefringence technique, Mukerrem Cakmak
Online monitoring of birefringence development in heat-setting polymer films with a fast dual-wavelength optical technique. I. Uniaxially oriented poly (ethylene naphthalate), J. Galay and Mukerrem Cakmak
Free radical crosslinking of unsaturated bacterial polyesters obtained from soybean oily acids, Baki Hazer, Songun I. Demirel, Mehlika Borcakli, Mehmet S. Eroglu, Mukerrem Cakmak, and Burak Erman
Molecular Modeling of Dye-doped Hydrocarbons, Hendrik Heinz
Multi-layer Articles Having a Conductive Surface and Nonconductive Core and Process for Making the Same, Avraam Isayev
Recycling of Elastomers, Avraam Isayev
Compatibilization of PBT PPE blends using low molecular weight epoxy, Sadhan Jana
Dispersion of nanofillers in high performance polymers using reactive solvents as processing aids, Sadhan Jana
Issues of dispersion of nanofillers in thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer systems, Sadhan Jana
Melt-mixing thermoplastic and epoxy resin above Tg or Tm of thermoplastic with curing agent, Sadhan Jana
Multi-layered article having a conductive surface and a non-conductive core and process of making the same, Sadhan Jana
Natural fiber reinforcement of polymeric composites by reaction-induced phase seaparation, Sadhan Jana
Effects of biaxial stretch ratio and stretch mode on the evolution of structural hierarchy in polylactic acid, X. Ou and Mukerrem Cakmak
Threaded and Riveted Connections, Design Issues, Reliability, Stress Analysis, and Failure Prevention, Erol Sancaktar
A study on the effects of surface roughness on the strength of single lap joints, Erol Sancaktar and Rajesh Gomatam
Composition of Epoxy Resin and (Cyclo)alkoxy-Substituted Organosilanes, Mark Soucek
Real time birefringence development of orientation in polymers during uniaxial stretching as detected by robust spectral birefringence technique, S. Toki, D. Valladares, T. Z. Sen, and Mukerrem Cakmak
Basic studies on development of structure hierarchy in tubular film blown dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM blend, M. D. Wang and Mukerrem Cakmak
Influence of Processsing History and Composition on the Basic Structure and Biaxial Deformation Behavior in Dynamically Vulcanized PP/EPDM Blends, M. D. Wang and Mukerrem Cakmak
Development of structural hierarchy in injection-molded PVDF and PVDF/PMMA blends: Part III. Spatial variation of superstructure as detected by small-angle light scattering, Y. D. Wang and Mukerrem Cakmak
Development of structural hierarchy in injection-molded PVDF and PVDF/PMMA blends: part III. Spatial variation of superstructure as detected by small-angle light scattering, Y. D. Wang and Mukerrem Cakmak
Spatial variation of structural hierarchy in injection molded PVDF and blends of PVDF with PMMA. Part II. Application of microbeam WAXS pole figure and SAXS techniques, Y. D. Wang and Mukerrem Cakmak
Effect of nanoparticles and processing conditions on the development of structural hierarchy in injection molded nylon composites, B. Yalcin and Mukerrem Cakmak
Submissions from 2000
The Effect of Composition and Processing Conditions on the Structure Development in Injection Molded Dynamically Vulcanized PP/EPDM Blends, Mukerrem Cakmak and S. W. Cronin
The Effect of Deformation and Composition on the Structure Evolution in the Pre-Oriented PET/PEI Blend Films during the Heat Setting Process, Jonghan Choi and Mukerrem Cakmak
AAAS Science Update, Avraam Isayev
Method of coagulating and isolating graft copolymers from lattices, Sadhan Jana
Reactive Compatibilization of PBT-PPO Systems Using Low Molecular Weight Epoxies, Sadhan Jana
Single extruder screw for blending of miscible and immiscible polymeric materials, Sadhan Jana
Evolution of Structural Hierarchy in Uniaxially Deformed Branched Poly Lactic Acid Films as Followed by Spectral Birefringence Technique and Others, G. Kokoturk, T. F. Serhatkulu, and Mukerrem Cakmak
Correlation of Single Lap Joint Strength, and Deformation with Joint Resistance, Surface, and Cure Conditions, Erol Sancaktar and Rajesh Gomatam
Selective use of rubber toughening to optimize lap-joint strength, Erol Sancaktar and Sumeet Kumar
Optimization of Adhesively Bonded Single Lap Joints by Adherend Notching, Erol Sancaktar and Sean R. Simmons
Optimization of adhesively-bonded single lap joints by adherend notching, Erol Sancaktar and Sean R. Simmons
Ceramer Coating Compositions, Mark Soucek
Linear free vibration analysis of cross-ply laminated cylindrical helical springs, Vebil Yıldırım and Erol Sancaktar
Submissions from 1999
On-Line Crystallinity Measurement Using Laser Raman Spectrometer and Neural Network, Celal Batur, Mohamad Hanif Vhora, Mukerrem Cakmak, and Toprak Serhatkulu
Compositional Effect On Phase Behavior And Uniaxial Deformation Properties For Polyethylene Naphthalate/Polycarbonate Cast Films, A. Beers, Mukerrem Cakmak, and K. Min
Non-Birefringent Optical Adhesives and Films, Thein Kyu
Constitutive Equations for Viscoelastic Liquids: Formulation, Analysis and Comparison with Data, Arkadii Leonov
Scaling Approach in Solving Problems of Complex Viscoelastic Flows with Multi-Mode Constitutive Models of Differential Type, Arkadii Leonov
Influence Of Composition On Deformation Behavior Of Blend Of Poly(Ether Ether Ketone) And Poly(Ether Imide), Jatin Panchal and Mukerrem Cakmak
Pressure-dependent conduction behavior of various particles for conductive adhesive applications, Erol Sancaktar and Nursel Dilsiz
Thickness-dependent conduction behavior of various particles for conductive adhesive applications, Erol Sancaktar and Nursel Dilsiz