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.)

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

Recent paper

Research image Incorporation of Thioacetate Pendants on a Polyalkenamer Enables High Extensibility

Incorporation of Thioacetate Pendants on a Polyalkenamer Enables High Extensibility

Roshni John Chethalen, Myounguk Kim, Juan Correa Ruiz, hien-Hua Tu, Jordan Gray, Karen I. Winey, Alan J. Lesser, Alfred J. Crosby, and E. Bryan Coughlin* Macromolecules 2024 

Patents