Rubber Division presents awards.

Rubber Division presents awards

The Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society presented the Charles Goodyear Medal, along with several other science and technology awards, during the spring meeting in Toronto.

Edwin J. Vandenberg was this year's recipient of the Charles Goodyear Medal. The award, established in 1941 to perpetuate the memory of Charles Goodyear, discoverer of vulcanization, honors individuals for outstanding invention, innovation or development which has resulted in a significant change in, or contribution to, the rubber industry.

Vandenberg was recognized for his early discoveries on the redox emulsion polymerization of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and polyether elastomers. He discovered, patented and helped develop several families of polyether elastomers.

Vandenberg's degrees include an M.E. with distinction and an honorary D. Eng., both from Stevens Institute of Technology. He was employed at Hercules, Inc., from 1939 to 1982, retiring as senior research associate, and has been a visiting professor of chemistry since 1983 at Arizona State University.

The Sparks-Thomas Award was presented to C. Michael Roland. The award perpetuates the memory of William J. Sparks and Robert M. Thomas, chemists who developed butyl rubber, by recognizing and encouraging outstanding scientific contributions and innovations in the field of elastomers by younger scientists, technologists and engineers.

Dr. Roland was selected for his contributions to theory and its experimental verification in the field of elastomer blending and his advances in the areas of rubber network rheology and in adhesion. He has also been involved in research on the structure of interpenetrating polymer networks and on the effect of a double network on mechanical and crystallization behavior in both gum and filled rubber.

Dr. Roland received a B.S. in chemistry from Grove City College and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University. He worked for Firestone Tire & Rubber from 1980 to 1986, and has since been at the Naval Research Laboratory, where he currently heads the Polymer and Composite Properties Section in the Chemistry Division.

The Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award was presented to Dr. Charles S. Schollenberger. This award perpetuates the memory of Melvin Mooney, the developer of viscoelastic theory, the Mooney viscometer and other testing equipment, by honoring Rubber Division members and affiliate members who have exhibited exceptional technical competence by making significant and repeated contributions to rubber technology.

Dr. Schollenberger is considered to be the inventor of the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, Estanes. Digressions from this field included some concurrent studies of solution rubbers, stereo rubbers, ethylene/vinyl chloride copolymers, etc.

Dr. Schollenberger graduated with an A.B. in chemistry from the College of Wooster, and received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Cornell University in 1947. He worked for B.F. Goodrich until his retirement in 1984. Since his retirement he has continued activity in the polyurethane field as a consultant and lecturer.

The George Stafford Whitby Award was presented to James E. Mark. The award perpetuates the memory of George S. Whitby, head of the rubber laboratory at The University of Akron and a pioneer in teaching rubber chemistry in the United States, by honoring outstanding international teachers of chemistry and polymer science and recognizing innovative academic research.

Dr. Mark has made outstanding contributions to polymer science, notably rubber science, through teaching, academic research of high standard and training of professional rubber or polymer chemists. He is said to have demonstrated intriguing experimental approaches in many diverse areas such as model networks for studying rubber-like elasticity, bimodel networks of significantly enhanced tensile strenght and reinforcement of elastomers.

Dr. Mark received a B.S. in chemistry from Wilkes College. He attended Temple University, majoring in chemistry, and Columbia University, where he majored in physical chemistry. He also attended Cornell University, majoring in physical chemistry. Dr. Mark received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. He also attended Stanford University for postdoctoral research in polymer chemistry with Paul J. Flory. He has held numerous academic positions at Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, the University of Michigan and the University of Cincinnati.

The Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award was presented to Aubert Y. Coran and Raman P. Patel. The award was established in 1989 by Shell Chemical to recognize and encourage outstanding contributions to the chemistry of thermoplastic elastomers and focus attention on new developments and emerging thermoplastic elastomer technology and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the commercialization of SBS block copolymers known as Kraton polymers.

The contributions of Coran and Patel led to advances in the technology of dynamic vulcanization of elastomer/ thermoplastic compositions, in addition to the discovery of elastomeric alloys, an extremely useful generic class of thermoplastic elastomers with properties and performance closely approaching those of thermoset rubbers and the delineation of the chemistry and morphology of elastomeric alloys.

Coran graduated from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy with B.S. and M.S. degrees in 1955 and 1963. Since joining Monsanto as a research chemist in 1955, he has served in several research positions and is presently a Distinguished Science Fellow. Coran has made contributions in the fields of plasticization, modification of resins, elastomer technology and vulcanization.

Raman P. Patel is a graduate of the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India, with a B.S. and M.S. in 1959 and 1961, respectively. In 1968 he received his Ph.D. from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He worked for three years as an analytical chemist at The Anil Starch Products, Ahmedabad. Patel joined Monsanto in 1968 as a senior research chemist and advanced to a Science Fellow. He left Monsanto in 1991 to join Advanced Elastomer Systems. Patel has made contributions in the fields of polymerization, polymer modification, vulcanization, reinforcement, polymer blends and composites.

The Rubber Division is currently seeking nominations for its Science and Technology Awards and will honor up to six people in 1991 for outstanding work in the field of rubber chemistry.

Nominations for candidates are open until August 1. Presentations of the awards are scheduled for the Division's meeting in Louisville, KY, May 19-22, 1992.

Award recipients need not be a member of the Division, with the exception of the Melvin Mooney Award, and nominations can be made by anyone in the manufacturing, supplier or academic areas of rubber chemistry.

The awards, honorariums and sponsors are: The Division's prestigious Charles Goodyear Medal Award ($5,000); the Melving Mooney Distinguished Technology Award ($3,000), sponsored by Uniroyal Chemical; the George Stafford Whitby Award ($3,000) for distinguished teaching and academic research, sponsored by Polysar Rubber; the Sparks-Thomas Award ($4,000), sponsored by Exxon Chemical; the Fernley H. Banbury Award ($3,000), sponsored by Farrel; and the Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award ($4,000), sponsored by Shell Chemical.

Selection of the finalists is conducted by the Science and Technology Awards Committee and approved by the Division's 45 members of the Executive Board.

Submitted in writing, nominations are required to include a biographical sketch of the nominee, a list of his or her published articles, identification of the nominee's contribution to the industry, and a list of previous awards and honors.

All nominations and/or requests for additional information should be forwarded to: Chairman, Science and Technology Awards Committee, Rubber Division, ACS, P.O. Box 499, Akron, OH 44309-0499; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

The Rubber Division has also announced the availability of its $10,000 John D. Ferry Fellowship for a student now working towards a post graduate level education in rubber and polymer science. Originated in 1989, the fellowship award, sponsored and awarded by the Education Committee, is to perpetuate the tradition of outstanding scientific research practiced by John D. Ferry. For additional information, contact: Education Committee, Rubber Division, ACS. P.O. Box 499, Akron, OH 44309-0499.

Tire mechanics symposium planned

The University of Akron will present the 16th Annual Tire Mechanics Symposium July 15-19. This five-day course will provide engineers and scientists with an in-depth, intense study of developments surrounding tire engineering.

Designed for practicising engineers concerned with tires and vehicles, the symposium will introduce basic aspects of the mechanics of pneumatic tires. Course notes in book form will be provided for all students.

The course will include the following presentations: "The tire as a vehicle component," Dr. Gerald Potts, Test Measurement Systems; "Strength, wear and friction of rubber," Dr. Alan Gent, The University of Akron; "Tire materials and constitutive materials," Dr. Michael Trinko, Goodyear Tire & Rubber; "Tire wear, traction and force generation," Dr. Marion G. Pottinger, Smithers Scientific Services; "Tire stress and deformation analysis," Dr. Joseph Walter, Bridgestone/Firestone; and "Advanced tire models," Dr. Joseph Padovan, The University of Akron.

Registration for the course if $650 and includes all lunches and a banquet. Participants completing this course will be awarded 4.0 continuing education units. For further information, contact the Department of Mechanical Engineering [phone].

MIT summer sessions focus on polymers

"Rheological behavior of polymeric fluids (with laboratory workshop)" and "Engineering of viscoelastic polymers and composites" will be offered by the Massachusetts Institutes of Technology July 15-19 as part of its Summer Session Program.

The course on "Rheological behavior of polymeric fluids" will include lectures, discussion of selected problems, laboratory workshops and demonstrations. Participants will obtain some hands-on experience with modern rheological testing equipment. Informal evening sessions are available for interested participants to carry out appropriate reduction and plotting of rheological data using an interactive computer system. All participants will receive a textbook and extensive notes covering and supplementing the content of the lectures and laboratory sessions.

Topics to be covered in the lectures will include: Newtonian fluid mechanics; Polymer molecular structure; Non-Newtonian flow phenomena; Experimental characterization (shear flows, elongational flows, specific instrumental methods and effects of temperature, molecular weight and concentration); Rheological implications for process analysis - the generalized Newtonian fluid; Rheological implications for material characterization - linear viscoelasticity; Modern continuum theories and their implications; and Molecular interpretation.

Laboratory workshops will include: Shear flow experiments (viscosity and normal force measurements in cone-and-plate and parallel plate flow, viscosity measurements in concentric cylinder flow, high shear rate viscometry in capillary viscometers and relaxation modulus in step strain stress relaxation); Elongational flow experiments; Linear viscoelastic tests; and Laser doppler velocimetry and flow birefringence.

The principal lectures for the program are Professors Robert C. Armstrong and Robert E. Cohen of the Department of Chemical Engineering at MIT. Tuition for the course if $1,800.

The "Engineering of viscoelastic polymers and composites" course is designed to accomodate technical and managerial personnel from industrial or other agencies seeking an accelerated treatment of the design and analysis techniques used for polymeric and composite materials. The coverage will include an overview of relevant background theory, but will emphasize a "how-to" approach in which program participants will have an opportunity to reduce the theories to practice.

The program will begin with an overview of modern technological polymers. This will include the practical aspects of polymer performance profiles, and also the atomistic phenomena underlying their engineering properties. Instructors will then go on to develop those aspects of design, such as viscoelasticity, anisotropy and melt elasticity, which must be added to traditional design methods when dealing with polymers and composites.

Since modern engineering methods rely heavily on computational approaches, this program will have a strong computer orientation. Finite element methods will be covered especially, as they are well suited for both stress analysis and process modeling.

The program will include many opportunities for participants to seek further discussion of their own special problem areas.

The principal instructor for this course will be Professor David Roylance of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. Tuition for the program is $1,300.

For further information, contact the Office of the Summer Session [phone].

Nominations open for composites award

Nominations are now open for the 1992 J.H. "Jud" Hall Composites Manufacturing Award. The deadline for nomination submission is August 1.

Sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Composites Manufacturing Association, the Jud Hall Award is given annually to an individual who has contributed to the composites manufacturing profession through leadership, technical developments, patents or educational activities.

This award honors the late J.H. Hall for his leadership and dedication to SME's composites technology.

The 1992 award will be presented at SME's Composites in Manufacturing '92 Conference and Exposition, January 6-9, 1992 in Anaheim, CA.

Nomination forms are available from Cheri Willetts [phone], ext. 544.

Paper Calls

American Society for Testing and Materials. A seminar on retread inspection and/or selection criteria for retreadable tires is being planned for November 1991 in Richmond, OH. The seminar is being sponsored by ASTM standards-writing Committee F-9 on Tires.

The committee would like to generate speakers from each of the major industry segments, including users of retread tires, manufacturers of new tires and retread tires, retreaders of tires and manufacturers of patch materials. Areas for standards development may be identified and discussed at this seminar.

Interested parties are invited to participate in the seminar. For more information, contact Wendy Dyer [phone].

American Society for Testing and Materials. Original papers are sought for the Second Symposium on Advances in Fatigue Lifetime Predictive Techniques to be held May 4-5, 1992 in Pittsburgh, PA. The symposium, sponsored by ASTM standards-writing Committee E-9 on Fatique and its Subcommittee E09.08 on Fatigue of Materials, will be held in conjunction with the May 4-7, 1992 standards development meetings of Committee E-9.

Papers will address the following topics: Strain and/or stress-based damage techniques; Damage tolerant methodologies; Continuum damage analysis; Novel methodologies for lifetime prediction of engineering materials; Uniaxial and multiaxial fatigue lifetime techniques; and Subambient, ambient and elevated temperature fatigue lifetime predictions for contemporary monolithic engineering alloys and advanced materials used in structural and engine applications.

Prospective authors are requested to submit a title, a 300-500 word abstract and an ASTM Paper Submittal Form by June 3 to Dorothy Savini [phone]. Forms are available from Savini. More information is available from symposium chairman M.R. Mitchell [phone].

Cahners Exposition Group. A call for papers has been issued for the Powder & Bulk Solids Conference/ Exhibition, to be held May 11-14, 1992 at the O'Hare Exposition Center, Chicago, IL.

This conference is said to be the world's most complete continuing education experience for engineers from all industries involved in the processing, handling, packaging, testing, instrumentation and control, transportation, and storage of particulate matter and bulk solids.

Suggested topic areas include solids handling; powder properties, behavior and characterization; processing; process control and automation; and packaging. Abstracts are due by September 21. For further information and abstract submittal forms, write to Cahners Exposition Group, Attn.: Geri Cavalier, Conference Department, Powder & Bulk Solids '92, 1350 East Touhy Ave., P.O. Box 5060, Des Plaines, IL 60017-5060.

American Society for Testing and Materials. Papers are needed for the 24th National Symposium on Fracture Mechanics, to be held June 30-July 2, 1992 in Gatlinburg, TN. This symposium is sponsored by ASTM standards-writing Committee E-24 on Fracture Testing.

Prospective authors are requested to submit a 300-500 word abstract and an ASTM Paper Submittal Form by July 30. Further information and forms are available from Dorothy Savini [phone].