PA Plastics SourceNet Symposium
Raymond A. Pearson
Director, Center for Polymer Science Engineering, Lehigh University
Raymond Pearson received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of New Hampshire in 1980 and a PhD in materials science and engineering from the University of Michigan in 1990. He joined the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., in August 1990. Prior to graduate school, Dr. Pearson had worked for seven years with General Electric Company (Corporate Research and Development Center and GE Plastics Europe). He is currently a professor of materials science and engineering and the director of the Center for Polymer Science and Engineering at Lehigh University. His research interests include all aspects of processing, deformation, yield, and fracture of polymer blends and nanocomposites as well as adhesion issues in microsystems packaging. .
Abstract
Lehigh University’s Center for Polymer Science and Engineering (CPSE) offers a unique environment for graduate study—one that is large enough to boast world-class professors and research facilities, but is small enough to give each graduate student individualized attention. Lehigh University has been awarding interdisciplinary master’s degree and PhD in polymer science and Engineering since 1975. CPSE was formally established at Lehigh University in July 1988. The Center provides a unique opportunity for faculty members and graduate students from traditional departments of chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering and mechanics, and physics to perform interdisciplinary research in polymers. Current course offerings include polymer synthesis and characterization, physical polymer science and organic polymer science, engineering behavior of polymers, rheology, polymer processing, emulsion polymers, biopolymers, polymer blends and composites, fatigue and fracture of engineering materials, and colloid science. In 1999, a new Master of Education degree program option was added as part of Lehigh University’s Distance Education Program. This presentation will provide an overview of our graduate program in polymer science and engineering as well our industrial liaison programs.