National Starch & Chemical Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Chemistry

Dr. Jiaxing Huang

The recipient of the 2006 National Starch & Chemical Award for Outstanding Graduate Research is Dr. Jiaxing Huang, who received his doctorate in 2004 from the University of California, Los Angeles, under the direction of Professor Richard B. Kaner. Dr. Huang's Ph.D. dissertation research led him to discoveries on the synthesis of high-quality polyaniline nanofibers with major impact in the fields of conducting polymers and nanoscience. These have led to advances in conducting polymer sensors, molecular memory devices and flash welding. He applied interfacial polymerization to produce uniform nanofibers without the need for difficult-to-remove templates, and demonstrated that these nanofibers could be used as sensors to detect parts-per-million or less of many acids and bases. Following his elucidation of the fiber formation mechanism, he developed a method to create a stable colloidal dispersion of the nanofibers, suitable for processing to films or other forms, resolving a major roadblock to the widespread use of these materials. He discovered that the nanofibers could undergo wavelength and intensity dependent crosslink photo-thermal chemistry to form nanofiber connections, asymmetric films, photopatterns and polymer composites, and demonstrated that polyaniline nanofibers decorated with gold particles can serve as the active component in a device with a three order of magnitude change in conductivity between on and off states, and read, write, erase cycles at low voltages.

The Award, which will be presented at the San Francisco meeting of the American Chemical Society (September 10-14, 2006), consists of a $2,000 prize, a plaque and travel expenses. Administered by the Polymer Education Committee of the Polymer Chemistry and Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering Divisions, the National Starch & Chemical Award for Outstanding Graduate Research Award was established in 1991 to recognize and encourage outstanding graduate research in polymer science and engineering. It is sponsored by National Starch & Chemical Co., a global manufacturer of adhesives, specialty polymers, electronic materials and specialty starches.

Call for Nomination
2007
National Starch & Chemical Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Chemistry

The award consists of a $2,000 prize, a plaque, and travel expenses to the Fall National Meeting of the ACS for the presentation.

Thesis Advisors are urged to nominate their students for this Award! For a form suitable for posting, please download this award form.

Under the auspices of The Polymer Education Committee (POLYED) of the ACS divisions of Polymer Chemistry and of Polymeric Materials Science & Engineering, the award recognizes a graduate student or recent graduate who has completed an outstanding Ph.D. thesis in research accepted by a U.S. or Canadian university during the three-year period prior to Jan. 1 of the award year.

Nominees will be judged on the basis of their contribution to the thesis research, the quality and level of innovation demonstrated, and the impact of the research on the science of synthetic polymers or biopolymers. The research advisor will be recognized in all publications about the award and during the award presentation.

Nominations must be made by the thesis supervisor or others familiar with the nominee's work. The nominating document must include the nominee's biography, a synopsis of the work, and a letter of recommendation from the thesis advisor. Relevant publications based on the thesis work may be submitted. Supporting documents and testimonials may also be included.

Send five copies of the nomination, postmarked prior to Jan. 31 of the award year to
Prof. Guy C. Berry
Department of Chemistry
Carnegie Mellon University
4400 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
For further information send queries to gcberry@andrew.cmu.edu

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