Professor Emeritus
Department of Chemical Engineering
Research Projects
McMaster Institute for Polymer Production Technology
The objectives of the Institute include the development of advanced polymer manufacturing processes using pilot-scale reactors and comprehensive deterministic models of the polymerization reactions for design, optimization and control. The emphasis is on the production of specialty organic and water – soluble co and terpolymers with applications in coatings, adhesives, microelectronics and water treatment. The Institute was founded in 1982 and already has had over 20 sponsoring firms located in Europe, USA and Canada. The Institute facilities provide graduate students with a unique opportunity to work with a computer controlled pilot plant.
Development of Production Processes for Polymerization
The Institute develops production processes under contract to companies. Of particular recent interest has been the use of metallocene catalysis.
Development of Polymer Reaction Models
The objective is to develop models which give accurate predictions of polymerization rates and polymer properties under synthesis conditions far removed from those used in model parameter estimation. This requires the incorporation of the detailed chemistry and physics involved in the microscopic processes which control the growth of polymer chain microstructure. Extensive experimentation on polymerization kinetics and polymer characterization on bench and pilot-scale is required.
Recent
