The New York State Center for Polymer Synthesis doesn’t look much different from other university research centers from the outside, but walk inside and talk to our faculty and students, and you’ll discover the excitement of a unique world-class facility. Dedicated in 1998, the center is the synthesis of a history that has impacted several generations of polymer scientists and a radical interdisciplinary approach to faculty-student research. The facility houses advanced technology for the discovery, scale-up, processing, and evaluation of unique polymers needed by many industries. The Center’s focus is grounded in three areas: ground-breaking research, corporate and government partnerships, and undergraduate and graduate education.

Our History

One of the older, more established programs in the field, Rensselaer’s polymer research began through the dedication of faculty such as Bill Rauscher, who spent more than 30 years here as student, mentor, and colleague. Following his death in 1972, friends and faculty established the William H. Rauscher Lectureships to honor his devotion to both the program and his areas of special interest. Another endowed lecture honors the accomplishments of Charles E. Reed, a pioneer in the silicone industry and long-time GE researcher and executive.

One of Rensselaer’s faculty members who has influenced the study of polymers for decades is Fred Billmeyer, Jr., RPI faculty member for 20 years. His classic books, Textbook of Polymer Science and Experiments in Polymer Science, are used throughout the world, referenced in schools and in laboratories, both on campuses and within industry.

Our present influence

Our faculty members are involved in the editorial process of two of the top journals in the field. Len Interrante was founding editor of Chemistry of Materials and continues as chief editor today. Jim Moore is associate editor for Macromolecules. Both editorial offices are located here at Rensselaer.

In 1999, Moore also won the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in recognition for his research, which involves turning waste cellulose from paper mills into the raw materials that go into new plastics. This monumental task was done in conjunction with Biofine Corporation. Using discarded cellulose from paper mills, which normally would end up in a landfill, Biofine produces levulinic acid, which can be efficiently converted into diphenolic acid.

Jim Crivello is also world-renowned for his work on photoinitiated polymerizations and their applications in photoresists and adhesive curing. Photoacid generators, such as diphenyliodonium and triphenylsulfonium salts, were pioneered by Crivello and are often called "Crivello salts."

The Center

The research by Moore and Crivello are just two outstanding examples of how the New York State Center for Polymer Synthesis provides bridges for companies to work with Rensselaer faculty and students in designing, producing, and testing novel polymers that can change the way we live and work. Many high technology industries remain materials limited, meaning that significant improvements in technology could be made if new, structurally tailored polymers with specific, predictable properties were prepared. Often, the creation of new polymers spawns entirely new industries. We are also committed to working with companies on their polymer-related problems. The center’s success in these areas is due to our extensive foundation in polymer science and special expertise in polymer synthesis. We have 18 faculty members, including seven new hires, 75 graduate students, and $3-4 million in current, on-going research projects. Faculty at the center are doing research on protein design and synthesis, studying protein folding and its effect on diseases, using enzymes for polymer synthesis, preparing polymer membranes for fuel cells, and creating polymer nanocomposites. They stay on the cutting edge with access to an extensive collection of characterization tools.

Of course, most esteemed university polymer programs can boast great physical facilities, but here at Rensselaer, our success reaches to the core of a student’s research experience. The center’s interdisciplinary approach has lowered the barriers involved in world-changing scientific advances. It is very easy to create research teams among faculty and students from different departments. We have many such joint projects currently in operation. However, most importantly, students view their faculty and advisors as friendly, accessible, and as invaluable contributors to their future success.

For Rensselaer, the New York State Center for Polymer Synthesis is more than just a building with laboratories. For us, it represents a significant rebirth of our polymer program and its mission to create new scientists, new partnerships, and new industries.

The New York State Center for Polymer Synthesis doesn’t look much different from other university research centers from the outside, but walk inside and talk to our faculty and students, and you’ll discover the excitement of a unique world-class facility. Dedicated in 1998, the center is the synthesis of a history that has impacted several generations of polymer scientists and a radical interdisciplinary approach to faculty-student research. The facility houses advanced technology for the discovery, scale-up, processing, and evaluation of unique polymers needed by many industries. The Center’s focus is grounded in three areas: ground-breaking research, corporate and government partnerships, and undergraduate and graduate education.