Earlier this month, a train derailment in Ohio caused a number of chemicals to be released into the environment. Those chemicals included 3 monomers; vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, and ethyl hexyl acrylate that are used …
Polymer Science
MEPE Minute: Faculty Spotlight on Dr. Bob Weiss
We are excited to spotlight the instructor for EPD 640, Introduction to Polymer Rheology, Dr. Bob Weiss. Dr. Weiss has had a long career as a polymer physicist and rheologist and as an educator. After …
MEPE Minute: How concerned should we be about the omnipresence of microplastic?
Many of us have become accustomed to seeing newspaper headlines about the alarming presence of microplastics – small particles of plastic with a dimension less than 100 microns – in our environment. First microplastics were …
Meet the MEPE Faculty! Prof. Don Baird
This fall, MEPE launched its updated curriculum, which includes two new core courses EPD 640 Introduction to Polymer Rheology and EPD 650 Introduction to Polymer Processing. For both of these courses we have brought in …
MEPE Launched new curriculum in Fall 2022!
We are excited to announce a new, refreshed MEPE curriculum that started this fall semester. The primary change is a broadened core curriculum to ensure that our students are exposed to a range polymer related …
NEW! Short course on 3D printing taught by MEPE Instructors offered this fall!
A short course on 3D Printing/additive manufacturing will be taught by two MEPE instructors, Drs. Kris Stokes and Nicole Zacharia. The class is “Utilizing 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing) in Your Organization,” offered September 28-29. The …
UW Madison Researchers Create a Biodegradeable “Slippery” Surface
UW Madison researchers from the lab of Prof. David Lynn have described a biocompatible antifouling or “slippery” surface made from biodegradeable components (ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2022, 14, 15, 17940–17949). Adhesion of various contaminants (dirt, ice, …
Biobased Nylon 6 takes a step closer to commercial production
Nylon 6 is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic with a range of uses, especially as a synthetic fiber. First developed to mimic the properties of nylon 6,6, nylon 6 has slightly different mechanical properties and more luster …