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James M. Eagan is an assistant professor at the University of Akron School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. His research focuses on improving the performance of recycled polymer blends and in the development of new polymers derived from sustainable feedstocks, such as olefins and carbon dioxide. In the community, he and his group promote sustainable polymer solutions through the Akron Polymer Industry Cluster, and sponsor research experiences for young scientists through the ACS Seed program, and Ohio Department of Education. He received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 2014 under the guidance of Scott A. Snyder and completed postdoctoral studies at Cornell University under Geoffrey W. Coates. He is the recipient of the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, NSF Faculty Early Career Development award, and the ACS Petroleum Research Foundation (PRF) New Investigator Grant. |
Read James’s Emerging Investigator Paper, Ethylene polymerization using heterogeneous multinuclear nickel catalysts supported by a crosslinked alpha diimine ligand network, DOI: D3PY00118K.
Check out our interview with James below:
What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment and what do you find most challenging about your research?
We investigate new polymerization catalysts and methods, and the most exciting aspect in this area is the discovery of new materials from old feedstocks. It is incredible that after more than a century of research into simple monomers like ethylene, propene, and butadiene, novel macromolecules and material properties can still be discovered. The most challenging part of our research is connecting the performance of new polymers to sustainable applications and ensuring that renewable alternatives meet, or surpass, existing material properties.
Find out more about James’s research on the Eagan Lab Group Page.
