The Urethane Systems business unit of specialty chemicals company Lanxess joins the Center for UMass/Industry Research on Polymers (CUMIRP) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA to enhance its scientific research on next generation materials. CUMIRP acts as a crossroads where university research and education meet with industrial partners in polymer materials, engineering and processing to leverage resources and foster collaboration. Lanxess will join Flammability Cluster (Cluster F) and Mechanical Properties & Additive Manufacturing Cluster (Cluster M). This collaboration targets the development of novel urethane materials; it focuses on in-depth understating of structure-property relationships to develop new process methods and new chemistries. The collaboration will begin in October 2017, according to the company.
The Polymer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is reportedly the leading institute on polymer science in the United States and one of the largest academic centers for polymer research in the world, with more than 200 scientists, $24 million in instrumentation and over 600 doctoral degrees awarded, according to Lanxess.
A key figure in the academic collaboration for Urethane Systems is scientist Alan Lesser from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who is a world expert in deformation and fracture of polymers and composites. His research focuses on strength, durability, and micromechanics of polymer blends and composites, nano and molecular composites, constructive modeling of polymers in complex stress states as well as unique processing methods and multi-functional additives. As of 2016, the group is focusing on next-generation additive manufacturing formulations. Lesser is also editor-in-chief of Polymer Engineering and Science Journal, Polymer Composites and Journal of Vinyl & Additives Technology.
A previous relationship under Chemtura, which was taken over by the Lanxess group in April 2017, comprised targeted research in flame retardants and urethanes structured foams.
For more information, visit: www.lanxess.com