2017 Herman F. Mark Award Winner:  Edward T. Samulski

The Herman F. Mark award recognizes outstanding research and leadership in Polymer Science and is sponsored by Elsevier. Named after Herman F. Mark (1895-1992), one of the fathers of polymer science, it is the highest honour given by ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry, awarded once every two years.

Professor Edward T. Samulski (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) designed, and now chairs, the Department of Applied Physical Sciences, Carolina's first new science department in 40 years. In 1989 he established UNC's internationally recognized polymer chemistry program through judicious hiring and the development of curricula integrated with traditional chemistry courses, all while maintaining a top research program spanning a range of topics based on the interplay of basic polymer physics and inherent molecular orientational order found in liquid crystals. His major advances include adapting nuclear magnetic resonance to map the stress in elastic networks and sheared polymer melts ("RheoNMR"), and the discovery of a biaxial nematic, a phase with implications for fabricating ultra-high strength polymers. He co-founded two startups, Allotropica Technologies (2008), which makes "extreme materials for extreme conditions," and Carbon (2013), which pioneered a new 3D printing method based on oxygen-inhibited free radical polymerization. He served as a senior science advisor to the State Department (2005-06). A special 1/2 day award symposium and award presentation will be held this fall at the ACS National Meeting in Washington, DC.

Mark Awardees 2017