Feb. 22: "Functional Polymers with Application in Energy Storage and Surgery"
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2023
 
Time: 9:30-10:30AM
 
Location: Health Science Technology Building (HST), Forum Room 101
 
This event features Peter Kofinas who will talk about "Functional Polymers with Application in Energy Storage and Surgery", as part of the Lehigh University Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering's Spring 2023 Colloquium Seminar Series.

Abstract

Functional polymers represent the leading and versatile type of materials being applied in a variety of technological fields ranging from energy storage to biomedical devices.  An overview of the research program in the Kofinas laboratory will be presented which aims in the synthesis characterization and processing of novel polymer architectures.  In particular, two projects will be emphasized: (1) aqueous solid polymer electrolytes (2) the in-situ deposition of polymer nanofibers for surgical sealants. 
 
(1) One key barrier to the wide-spread use of lithium-ion batteries is their potential for catastrophic failure due to lack of inherent abuse tolerance. We have designed safer solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries using water and ionic liquids as plasticizers. Using water as a plasticizer we can create aqueous solid polymer electrolytes (ASPEs) that exhibit preferential Li+ transport and high ionic conductivity. These systems also exhibit unique stability in air that eliminates the need for meticulously dry environments and solution processing, which is desirable to manufacturers for substantial savings in production costs. Our work demonstrates how overall performance is influenced by the inclusion of water and non-aqueous plasticizers in ASPEs. 
 
(2) Our research is also centered in surgical material development for the treatment of adhesions and for burn wounds. Our biodegradable, sprayable, medical sealant reduces cost, inflammatory response, and disease transmission risk, while improving procedural outcomes. Utilizing a technique called solution blow spinning (SBS), polymer fibers can be deposited directly onto any surface. Our work aims to correlate material properties and deposition conditions to in vitro and in vivo efficacy and will lead to greater insight into the development of effective surgical materials. Ultimately, successful development of the direct deposition of polymer fiber constructs using SBS onto any surface could lead to clinically translatable biomaterial approaches in a diverse variety of surgical applications and in biomaterials fabrication. 

About the Speaker

Peter Kofinas is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (since July 2017) at the University of Maryland (UMD). He has held a faculty appointment at UMD since 1996. He was previously appointed Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Graduate Programs in the A. James Clark School of Engineering, where he also served as Equity Officer and Diversity Officer. Dr. Kofinas holds Affiliate Appointments in the Bioengineering and Materials Science and Engineering Departments.
 
Dr. Kofinas received Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1989, and a PhD in the field of Polymers from MIT in 1994. He was then trained as a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Chemical Engineering at MIT for 2 years before joining the faculty at UMD in 1996. 
 
Professor Kofinas has graduated 23 PhD students, 3 of whom have secured tenured track academic positions.  He has also graduated 9 MS Thesis students and has mentored over 100 undergraduate and high school students in research projects in his laboratory. Dr. Kofinas entrepreneurial activities  include the founding of startup companies, which have been recognized two times by the receipt of the Outstanding Invention of the Year award, from the University of Maryland. 
 
Professor Kofinas has received the CAREER award from the National Science Foundation and has been awarded the Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching award, the Senior Faculty Outstanding Research Award, and the Faculty Outstanding Service Award from the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland. Professor Kofinas was awarded the endowed Keystone Professorship for his exemplary undergraduate teaching skills and commitment to excellence in teaching fundamental engineering courses.  Dr. Kofinas has also received the Engaged Faculty Award, from the Clark School of Engineering, U. of Maryland. 
 
Personal: Born in Switzerland and raised in Greece, Dr. Kofinas grew up bilingual in French and Greek, and speaks English, German, Spanish and some Italian. He used to perform as a concert pianist before deciding to become a Chemical Engineer.  His current passion is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where he has achieved the rank of purple belt.  

 

ChBE Professor and Chair
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute, University of Maryland