ACS Rubber Division names six as 2024 winners of Science & Technology Awards

AKRON—The ACS Rubber Division announced the recipients of its annual Science & Technology Awards on Nov. 16.

For accomplishments that range from the cultivation and breeding of the desert shrub guayule to innovations in rubber fatigue testing, these six scientists have distinguished themselves with work that truly is groundbreaking in their fields.

The winners will be honored May 1 during the Rubber Division's Spring Technical Meeting in Columbus. After the banquet, each will give a technical presentation.

The six winners—besides Katrina Cornish, who will receive the Charles Goodyear Medal—include:

For his "exceptional technical competency," numerous publications and the consistent and astute advisory roles he has filled for colleagues, Andrew Chapman will receive the 2024 Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award.

The 2024 award is being presented by Lion Elastomers.

"Through my collaborations with Andy, I have learned a great deal about rubber chemistry that has contributed very broadly to my rubber expertise," James Busfield, a professor at the School of Engineering and Materials Science at the Queen Mary University of London, writes in his nomination letter of Chapman. "Andy has been my go-to rubber chemistry expert for many years. His friendly and clear explanations have made him the perfect evening drinks partner when our paths have crossed on the international rubber conference circuit for the last three decades.

"I doubt there is a more suitable and deserving candidate for the Mooney medal this year."

Chapman, whose extensive accomplishments were echoed in two other nominations, has worked in chemistry and on phenomena where both physical and chemical processes are significant—such as the reinforcement of rubber by fillers, rubber-to-metal bonding and the leaching of rubber ingredients.

His work with Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre in Malaysia also has encompassed sulfur vulcanization chemistry, techniques for quantitative assessment of rubber structure and the role of zinc in sulfur vulcanization.

The Mooney Award is named for the developer of the Mooney viscometer and other testing equipment. It honors individuals who have exhibited exceptional technical competency by "making significant and repeated contributions to rubber science and technology."

For her work on biometric protein and non-protein-based elastomers—as well as "distinguished contributions to the advancement of research in polymer and elastomer science"—Namita R. Choudhury will receive the 2024 George Stafford Whitby Award from the Rubber Division.

Choudhury is a polymer scientist who works at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

The award, which honors teachers and academic scientists for distinguished, innovative and inspirational teaching and research in chemistry and polymer science is sponsored by Cabot Corp.

"Choudhury has long worked to advance women in academic science and engineering fields, particularly in the field of elastomers," University of Houston Professor Anil Bhowmick states in his nomination letter for Choudhury. "She has personally mentored over 20 women, who currently are in leadership positions at universities or industries throughout the country and internationally."

In addition to direct mentoring and leading by example, Choudhury has been instrumental in enhancing university policy guidelines on equal employment and other issues for women faculty and students.

"Her work as a leading female academic and champion for women in academia was recognized by her invitation to Japan in 2007 for advocating 'Women in higher education,' " Bhowmick writes.

Nominating letters go on to state that Choudhury's research has been groundbreaking in protein-based biomimetic elastomers, and that she has "significant experience in translating and adapting research to real-world needs."

The award is issued in memory of George S. Whitby, head of the rubber laboratory at the University of Akron. For many years, Whitby was the only person teaching rubber chemistry in the country.

Radek Stocek is the 2024 Sparks-Thomas Award recipient, honored for his "significant advances ... in the areas of fatigue crack growth and cut-and-chip wear."

Stocek is general manager at Polymer Research Lab S.R.O. in the Czech Republic and head of rubber development at Tomas Bata University, also in the Czech Republic.

The award is sponsored by Endurica L.L.C., a Northwest Ohio company that works specifically in these fatigue-oriented fields.

"I have recently had the opportunity to engage in a joint research collaboration with Dr. Stocek to investigate cut-and-chip wear mechanisms and can attest to his enthusiasm and keen insights into the physics and mechanics of rubber materials," Lewis Tunnicliffe, a principal scientist at Birla Carbon, wrote of Stocek in his nomination letter. "In addition, Dr. Stocek's efforts to engage younger scientists in rubber research through the organization of various international conferences and symposia are both noteworthy and important for the future of our industry."

In addition, Stocek achieved the qualification level of a "Habilitation," which is the highest university degree in many European countries.

The level of scholarship for this is considerably higher than for a doctoral dissertation, as the candidate must fulfill the university's set criteria of excellence in research, teaching and further education.

This ACS Rubber Division award is issued in memory of William J. Sparks and Robert M. Thomas, ExxonMobil chemists who developed butyl rubber.

The honor "recognizes and encourages outstanding scientific contributions and innovations in the field of elastomers by younger scientists, technologists and engineers who are within 25 years of earning their undergraduate degree."

Greg Patnode, a retired process engineer and product designer at 3M, is the recipient of the 2024 Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award, sponsored by Renkert Oil L.L.C.

Patnode distinguished himself for the award via his "passionate commercialization leadership" and advocacy for innovation in the TPE realm.

"His accomplishments are a function, first and foremost, of his scientific principles, using processing fundamentals that are absent of any preconceived notions as to what the cause of a particular problem might be. Gregg is a top-notch scientist in the same tradition of great scientists at 3M," James Coffey, a senior engineer at ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co., said in his June 21 nomination letter for Patnode.

"Not only is Gregg top-notch at the science of rubber and rubber modification, but he is also honest, humble and easy to work with. During meetings, it is obvious that everyone in the room had a huge amount of respect for not only his knowledge, but also his ability and willingness to teach others and freely pass on his expertise."

In 2008, Patnode joined the Tape Process Development Center at 3M as an expert in formulation, development and processing of elastomer and TPE-based adhesives. He has taught many courses on formulating and processing TPEs and elastomers since then.

The Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award recognizes the contributions of scientists in the field of TPEs, with a particular focus on innovations that have yielded "significant new commercial or patentable materials."

Andreas Limper has more than three decades in the rubber industry, with innovations in rubber processing technologies and rubber mixing research that have been developed into real-world applications.

For these accomplishments, Limper has been named the 2024 winner of the Fernley H. Banbury Award.

The award, named for the inventor and developer of the internal mixer, honors innovations in production equipment, instrumentation, control systems and improved processing technologies widely used in the manufacture of rubber or rubber-like goods.

This year's award from the ACS Rubber Division is sponsored by Ace Laboratories of Ravenna, Ohio.

"This candidate has, in my opinion, accomplished more than any others in (the) research and development field of rubber and plastic mixing ... and is deserving of this prestigious award," Paul White, vice president of service with HF Mixing Group, wrote in his nomination letter. "Without hesitation, it is an honor to offer my endorsement of Dr. Limper for this (award)."

Limper has served as CEO of the HF Mixing Group, a developer and producer of machines and accessories for the plastics and rubber industry.

He also has worked as a professor for the University of Paderborn in Germany, leading development of tire manufacturing, rubber mixing and rubber extrusion.

He has made contributions in the development of the biggest producers of rubber mixing equipment; tandem mixing technology (in concert with Continental Tire); and development of the twin extruder for downstream mixing lines.

David Dierig, manager and plant breeder/geneticist for the agro operations at Bridgestone Americas Inc., is the recipient of the 2024 Bioelastomer Award, sponsored by the ACS Rubber Division.

The award is issued to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to the understanding or use of biomaterials, including naturally derived elastomeric polymers and protein-based bioelastomers.

Specifically, Dierig is being awarded for his "distinguished career in advancing the science of enabling natural rubber production in the U.S. from guayule."

"David's contributions to the advancement of biomaterials in the field of rubber science and technology are unprecedented," Kimberly Ogden, professor and chair of the University of Arizona's Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, said in Dierig's nomination letter. "He is leading his colleagues at Bridgestone to develop a new industry for Southern Arizona. Growers in the region are struggling due to water rationing, and David is providing an alternative for these growers, so they do not have to stop doing what they love.

"There is no person more deserving of this award than David Dierig."

Bridgestone has invested more than $100 million in its efforts to commercialize guayule, a promising, sustainable source for natural rubber production in the U.S. Dierig leads the breeding, genetics, germplasm collection and evaluation and agronomics of the project.