John Klier

Professor & Department Head

Research interests include (a) surfactant & polymeric surfactant assembly and association, synthesis, structure and properties of polymer colloids and functional polymers and polymer functionalization and (b) applying these unique materials to addressing key unmet needs in industrial and biological applications including novel coatings and adhesives, delivery systems and devices via collaborations with industrial, academic and governmental partners.

Current Research

- New monomers for surface functionalization, emulsion polymerization and crosslinking
- Mechanically actuated crosslinking of gels and polymers
- Novel colloidal delivery systems for cancer therapeutics
- Coatings with enhanced properties via pigment encapsulation and segragation
- Surface functionalization of low energy polymers for adhesion and other applications
- Synthesis of novel asymmetric colloids for electronic and biological applications
- Fabrication of micro heterogeneous polymer films, fibers and articles for advanced controlled release appliciations

Academic Background

BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT
MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University
26 years industrial experience ultimately as global research and development director of performance chemicals and materials

Publications

Y.H. Tran, M.J. Rasmuson, T. Emrick, J. Klier and S.R. Peyton, “Strain-stiffening Gels Based on Latent Crosslinking,” Soft Matter, 13, 9007-9013 (2017)

J. Klier, J. Bohling and M. Keefe, “Evolution of Functional Polymer Colloids for Coatings and Other Applications,” AIChE Journal, 62(7), 2238-2247 (2016)

B.I. Chaudhary, T.H. Peterson, E. Wasserman, S. Costeaux, J. Klier and A.J. Pasztor, “Thermoreversible Crosslinking of Polyethylene Enabled by Free Radical Initiated Functionalization with Urethane Nitroxyls,” Polymer, 51(1), 153-163 (2010).

B.I. Chaudhary, L. Chopin and J. Klier, “Nitroxyls for Scorch Suppression, Cure Control and Functionalization in Free-Radical Crosslinking of Polyethylene,” Polymer Engineering and Science, 47(1), 50-61 (2007).

K. Jain, J. Klier and A.B. Scranton, “Photopolymerization of Butyl Acrylate-in-Water Microemulsions: Polymer Molecular Weight and End-Groups,” Polymer, 46(25), 11273-11278 (2005).

J. Klier, “Microemulsions,” Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 16, 419-437 (2005).

J. Klier, C.J. Tucker, T.H. Kalantar and D.P. Green, “Properties and Applications of Microemulsions,” Adv. Mater., 12(23), 1751-1757 (2000).

B. Drescher, A.B. Scranton and J. Klier, “Synthesis and Characterization of Polymeric Emulsifiers Containing Reversible Hydrophobes: Poly(methacrylic acid-g-ethylene glycol),” Polymer, 42(1), 49-58 (2000).

A.M. Mathur, B. Drescher, A.B. Scranton and J. Klier, “A Polarity-Sensitive Fluorescence Study of the pH- Dependent Aggregation of Poly(methacrylic acid-g-ethylene glycol) Copolymers in Water,” Spectroscopy 15(4), 36, 38-43, 50 (2000).

B. Drescher, A.B. Scranton, and J. Klier, “Reversible Block/Graft Copolymeric Emulsifiers Based Upon Intramolecular Complexation,” Polym. Mater. Sci. Eng., 82, 21-22 (2000).

A.M. Mathur, B. Drescher, A.B. Scranton and J. Klier, “Polymeric Emulsifiers Based Upon Reversible Formation of Hydrophobic Units,” Nature, 392(6674), 367-370 (1998).

John Klier

Institute for Applied Life Sciences