Mission and Objectives

The Polymer Research Institute of the State University of New York (located in the College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse Campus) is a consortium of Associate Members drawn from several organizations and institutions.  It is established to promote the advancement of polymer science through education and research, to coordinate diversified activities of polymer scientists and engineers in the Central New York area, and to develop strong cooperative programs with polymer-based industries nationwide.  Among its activities are sponsorship of new educational and research ventures, encouragement of individual and cooperative research programs, participation in academic programs leading to the BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees, and promotion of continuing education and new developmental opportunities for scientists.  The Institute will engage in all other activities necessary to maintain itself as a center of excellence in polymer science and engineering.

History and Background


The establishment of a polymer science teaching and research program at the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry dates back to the early years of the 1950's. At this time, it had been one of the two academic institutions in the United States that offered a graduate program -- leading to a Ph.D. degree -- in polymer science. The program came at an opportune time because of an increased national demand for polymer scientists. Few schools made any effort to fill this need. In the middle sixties, the Syracuse program had as many as 55 graduate students and many postdoctoral scientists in polymer and cellulose chemistry.

Polymers are the building blocks of living systems and the early research on cellulose chemistry sparked a substantial growth in research towards synthetic polymers. This, in turn, resulted in the development of many Aplastics@ and other polymeric materials and also stimulated research into the structure and properties of more complex biological macromolecules such as proteins, enzymes, and DNA. The direct outcome of the State University of New York initiative to provide a program in polymer research and education, is that many graduates of this program now have leading faculty positions in academic institutions in the United States and abroad or hold important managerial positions in polymer-related industries.

The ever-expanding application of polymer products in recent years lead to the fact that about 70% of all chemistry and chemical engineering graduates will be engaged in polymer research and development in their careers in one way or another. Therefore, the need for polymer scientists and technologists (as is demonstrated by the abundance of job opportunities and high salaries in this field). The economic advantages of polymer-based industries have prompted, in the 80's, many universities to establish polymer science programs. The State University of New York (SUNY) recognized the achievements of the polymer program at ESF and established, in 1966, the State University Polymer Research Center under the directorship of the famed Prof. Michael Szwarc. Under his leadership, the program flourished in the later 60's and early 70's.  Scientists from around the world engaged in the center’s research activities, and the accomplishments of its staff have been documented in over 1500 scientific publications.

Presently, the Polymer Research Institute (PRI) is comprised of faculty members of SUNY-ESF, SUNY-Albany, Syracuse University, as well as members from industry. Members of the Chemistry Department at ESF administer the Institute, where an intensive curriculum of polymer science for undergraduate, as well as graduate students (M.S., Ph.D.) is provided. All the students in the polymer program participate actively in the research projects that are interwoven with the academic programs.

Polymeric crystalline alloy-membrane

   Living polymers, anionic polymerization and electron transfer initiation

     Development and studies of crown ether polymers

     Polyelectrolyte complexes

     Polycondensation polymers and monomers

     Polymer modifications (via grafting pendant moiety on the chain)

     Polymers containing phosphoryl and other organophosphorous groups

     Stress-induced crystallization

     Crystalline structure of polymers

     Computer-aided prediction of crystalline and solid state structure

     X-ray electron diffraction analysis

     Statistical mechanics of polymers

     Rubber elasticity and thermoelasticity

     Polymer alloys, blends and interpenetrating networks

     Ultrastructure of polymer networks

     Polymer membranes (reverse osmosis, dialysis, ion transport, gas permeation and other modes of separations)

     Chemical synthesis and properties of polysaccharides of biomedical interest

    Colloid chemistry of paper making science

     Cellulose and wood science

     Wood-plastic materials

     Solid-state theology

     Nanoparticles

    Carbon

     Electrochemistry and electrochemical synthesis

     Fuel cells and electrodes

     Batteries

     Polymer-colloid interactions

    Flow-induced effects on phase diagrams

Membrane Research and Development

     Reverse osmosis membranes

     Ultrafiltration

     Gas separation composite membranes

     Ion-exchange membrane (thin layer) and H.F.

     Bi-polar membranes

     Liquid membranes

     Conductive polymer membranes

     Fuel cells and electrodes

General Courses in Polymer Science at Graduate and Undergraduate Levels

FCH 550                    Introduction to Polymer Science I

FCH 551                    Polymer Techniques

FCH 552                    Introduction to Polymer Science II

FCH 571                    Wood Chemistry I.  General Wood Chemistry

FCH 572                    Wood Chemistry II.  Wood and Pulping Chemistry

FCH 573                    Wood Chemistry III.  Biosynthesis of Wood

FCH 574                    Wood Chemistry IV.  Wood Chemistry Laboratory

FCH 650                    Physical Chemistry of Polymers I

FCH 651                    Physical Chemistry of Polymers II

FCH 652                    Organic Chemistry of Polymers I

FCH 653                    Organic Chemistry of Polymers II

FCH 850                    Organic Chemistry of Polymers (Advanced)

FCH 855                    Physical Chemistry of Polymers (Advanced)

WPE 320                   Polymeric Adhesives and Coatings

WPE 321                   Adhesives and Coating Laboratory

PSE 465                    Paper Properties

FCH 796(496)           Contemporary Topics in Polymer Science

                                        1.                  Polymer Membranes

                                        2.                  Inorganic Polymers

                                        3.                  Water Soluble Polymers and Gels

                                        4.                  Polymer Blends

                                        5.                  Conductive Polymers

                                        6.                  X-ray Analysis

                                        7.        Ionic Polymerization

                                        8.                  Solid NMR Analysis

                                        9.                  Statistical Mechanics of Complex Fluids

Polymer Research Institute

Current Roster

Document Created 31/12/99
Last Modified 22/04/2002
Comments and Corrections to icabasso@syr.edu