E. Bryan Coughlin
E. Bryan Coughlin

Professor

We strive, through development of novel, and adaptation of known synthetic methods, to create new polymeric materials with properties suitable for a range of demanding applications. Our projects begin with synthesis and sustainability as a major motivators, however characterization studies to test our hypotheses and to inform the next round of synthetic efforts is also given significant emphasis.
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Research

The research my students and I conduct at the University of Massachusetts is broadly based and can be summarized in the statement, "Tailoring Chemical Functionality to Generate Functional Polymeric Materials."

We strive, through development and adaptation of synthetic methods, to create new polymeric materials with properties suitable for demanding applications. After synthesis, we perform a full spectrum of physical and engineering characterizations. Our efforts can be sub-divided into four project areas:

Novel Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Copolymers. Synthetic strategies to generate ordered, self-assembled, nanometer-length scale inorganic domains within a polymer matrix are being developed. (Support: NSF CAREER Award, Department of Energy, U.S. Army and Air Force, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.)

Precisely Functionalized Polymers. Amphiphilic polymers from modular monomers, stimuli responsive shape memory materials, polymer electrolyte membrane materials, and end-functionalized polypropylenes are being prepared for highly demanding applications. (Support: Department of Energy, U.S. Navy, NASA, and DuPont.)

Polymerization Catalysis and Reaction Engineering. Performance of novel organo-transition metal-based olefin polymerization catalysts are being evaluated in state-of-the-art polymerization facilities, which include a unique reactor design for performing high through-put catalyst screening. (Support: NSF, Honeywell Inc., and Reliance Industries.)

Fire-Safe Polymers and Polymer Composites. Advanced polymeric materials with improved burn resistance are being developed to reduce fire deaths in aircraft accidents. The effort is being expanded to add chemical and biological protection to garment materials used by fire fighters. (Support: FAA, Boeing and other industrial partners, Department of Homeland Security, International Assocation of Fire Fighters.)

United States Patents
Patent # Date Published Title
US2004122184 24-Jun-04 Crosslinked polycyclooctene
US20030171508A1 11-Sep-03 Alpha-Olefins and olefin polymers and processestherefore
US20030058584A1 16-May-02 Polymerization of Olefins
US20010031845A1 18-Oct-01 Polymerization of Olefins
6,613,915 2-Sep-03 Polymerization of Olefins
6,506,920 14-Jan-03 Polymerization of Olefins
6,310,163 30-Oct-01 alpha-olefins and olefin polymers and processestherefore
6,265,507 24-Jul-01 Copolymerization of fluorinated olefins
6,255,414 3-Jul-01 Polymerization of olefins
6,174,97 16-Jan-01 Polymerization of olefins
6,114,483 5-Sep-00 Polymerization of olefins
6,103,920 15-Aug-00 Olefin polymerization process
6,034,259 7-Mar-00 alpha-olefins and olefin polymers and processestherefor
5,886,224 23-Mar-99 alpha-diimines for polymerization catalysts
5,866,663 2-Feb-99 Processes of polymerizing olefins
5,714,556 3-Feb-98 Olefin polymerization process
International Patents
Patent # Date Published Title
WO0053646A1 14-Sep-04 Multi-stage process for the (co)Polymerization ofolefins
EP0952997B1 11-Aug-04 Polymerization of Olefins
WO2004033553 22-Apr-04 Crosslinked polycyclooctene
EP1400540A8 7-Jul-04 Process for the polymerization of olefins
EP1400540 24-Mar-04 Process for the polymerization of olefins
EP1400540A2 24-Mar-04 Process for the polymerization of olefins
EP1003794B1 11-Nov-03 Copolymerization of fluorinated olefins
EP1068245B1 29-Oct-03 Polymerization of olefins
EP1161465B1 22-Oct-03 Multi-stage process for the (co)polymerization ofolefins
EP1348723 1-Oct-03 alpha-olefins and olefin polymers and processes fortheir preparation
EP1348723A2 1-Oct-03 alpha-olefins and olefin polymers and processes fortheir preparation
EP0805826B1 23-Apr-03 Olefin Polymerization
CN1350552t 22-May-02 Multi-stage process for the (co) polymerization ofolefins
EP1161465 12-Dec-01 Multi-stage process for the (co) polymerization ofolefins
EP1161465A1 12-Dec-01 Multi-stage process for the (co) polymerization ofolefins
CN1325410t 5-Dec-01 Polymerization of olefins
EP1112292A1 4-Jul-01 Polymerization of olefins
CN1296499t 23-May-01 Polymerization of olefins
EP1068245A1 17-Jan-01 Polymerization of olefins
CN1268144t 28-Sep-00 Polymerization of olefins
CN1267309T 20-Sep-00 Copolymerization of fluorinated olefins
EP1012194A1 28-Jun-00 Polymerization of olefins
EP1003794A1 31-May-00 Copolymerization of fluorinated olefins
WO0012568A1 9-Feb-00 Polymerization of olefins
EP0952997A1 3-Nov-99 Polymerization of olefins
WO9950318A1 7-Oct-99 Polymerization of olefins
WO991031A1 4-Mar-99 Polymerization of olefins
WO9909078A1 2-Feb-99 Copolymerization of fluorinated olefins
WO9830609A1 16-Jul-98 Polymerization of olefins
EP0835269A1 15-Apr-98 Olefin polymerization process
EP0805826A2 11-Nov-97 alpha-olefins and olefin polymers and processes therefore
WO9702298A1 23-Jan-97 Olefin polymerization process
WO9623010A3 1-Aug-96 alpha-Olefins and olefin polymers and processestherefor
WO9623010A2 1-Aug-96 alpha-Olefins and olefin polymers and processestherefor

People

Coughlin Group Photo 2021, Juan Ruiz Correa, Roshni Chethalen, E. Bryan Coughlin, Anne Radzanowski, Yuhui (Helen) Du, Ria Ghosh, Thomas Reimers (Christian Steinmetz - not pictured)
Coughlin Group Photo 2021, Juan Ruiz Correa, Roshni Chethalen, E. Bryan Coughlin, Anne Radzanowski, Yuhui (Helen) Du, Ria Ghosh, Thomas Reimers (Christian Steinmetz - not pictured)

Awards

  • NSF CAREER AWARD (2003-2007)
  • DuPont Young Faculty Award (2003-2005)
  • UMass Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee (2003-2004)
  • 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Awards (2000, 2001, 2002)
  • Mettler-Toledo Edith M. Turri Thermal Analysis Grant (2002)
  • OMNOVA Solutions Signature University Faculty Award (2000)
  • UMass Polymer Science and Engineering Dept. Most Outstanding Professor Award (2000)
  • California Catalysis Society Graduate Student Award (1992)
  • W.R. Grace Graduate Fellowship (1990)
  • American Institute of Chemists Outstanding Senior Chemistry Major Award (1988)

Federal Sponsorship Funding

  • National Science Foundation (NSF)
    Department of Defense
    Department of Energy
    Department of Homeland Security
    Federal Aviation Administration
    NASA
    National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Industrial Sponsorship Funding

  • Center for UMass Industry Research on Polymers
    Dayton Research Institute
    3M
    E. I. DuPont De Nemours
    Schlumberger Technologies
    Honeywell International Inc.
    Sumitomo Chemical Company
    Metabolix Inc
    Proctor and Gamble
    Milliken & Co.
    Sekisui Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Sumitomo Chemical Company
    JSR Corporation

Publications

* Denotes E. Bryan Coughlin as Senior Author

Comparative study of N-vinyl pyrrolidone graphic

Comparative study of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and cyclic ketene acetal copolymer degradation under alkaline, enzymatic, or wastewater conditions

Yuhui Du, Liqun Ren, Jeremy Sloan, Sunli Chong, Alexandros Lamprou, Yifeng Du, E Bryan Coughlin

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Comparative study of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and cyclic ketene acetal copolymer degradation under alkaline, enzymatic, or wastewater conditions

Yuhui Du, Liqun Ren, Jeremy Sloan, Sunli Chong, Alexandros Lamprou, Yifeng Du, E Bryan Coughlin Polymer 2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2024.127444

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