Kenneth J. Smith

Professor Emeritus
318 Jahn Laboratory
470-6854

Ph.D., 1962, Duke University; Research Chemist, Chemstrand Research Center, 1961-1968; Visiting Professor, University of Genoa, Italy, 1979.

Kenneth Smith's research interests lie in the general areas of polymer statistics, rubber elasticity, fiber properties, crystallization, mechanical behavior of polymers and structure-property relationships. Past and current activities include: theoretical predictions of the degree of crystallization and elastic modulus of polymers, breaking strength of fibers, stress-induced crystallization in networks, crystal-crystal phase transitions and associated elasticity, network elasticity, elasticity of fiber networks, thermoelasticity, birefringence, polyelectrolyte systems, carbonization of fibers, antithrombogenic materials. Most projects encompass theoretical considerations as well as experimental techniques.

Representative Publications

• Criticisms of the Recently Proposed Analysis and Methods of "Thermoviscoelasticity," K.J. Smith and J.E. Mark, Polymer 29, 292 (1988).
• The Breaking Strength of Perfect Polymer Fibers, K.J. Smith, Polym. Eng. & Sci. 30, 437 (1990).
• Thermoelasticity and the New Theory of Elasticity, K.J. Smith, Memorial volume in memory of E. Guth, Elastomeric Polymer Networks, eds., J. Mark and B. Erman, Prentis Hall, 1992.
• The Effect of Annealing on Stretched Trans-1,4-Polyisoprene Networks, D.G. Chou and K.J. Smith, Polym. Eng. & Sci. 34, 290 (1994).