Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994
M.S. (Chemical Engineering Practice), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1990
Dipl.-Eng. (Chemical Engineering), National Technical University, 1989
Postdoctoral Fellow (Polymer Physical Chemistry), Lund University, 1994-1996
 
 

Areas of Expertise: block copolymers, amphiphilic polymers, surfactants, resins,
polymer gels (physically or chemically cross-linked), structured fluids, lyotropic liquid crystals,
self-assembly, phase behavior, microstucture, micellization, solubilization, dissolution,
microemulsions, emulsions, micellar kinetics, polymer-surfactant interactions, molecular
recognition, controlled release, rheology, wetting, adhesion.

My research aims in elucidating the interrelations between (i) the molecular characteristics of
amphiphilic molecules (such as block copolymers and surfactants), (ii) the structure of organized
assemblies formed by amphiphiles, and (iii) the functional properties of such assemblies.
Amphiphile self-assemblies can be utilized for the development of novel materials and
processes of interest to chemical, bio-, and materials engineering.

Amphiphilic (i.e., containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts) molecules, such
as surfactants, lipids, copolymers, and proteins, find widespread use in the chemical,
pharmaceutical, and food industry, because of their unique ability to self-assemble and modify
the surface/interfacial properties, thus either enhancing compatibility or imposing partition. The
self-assembly is governed by (tuneable) molecular- and colloidal-level interactions and its
control is crucial for tailoring the properties of systems where amphiphiles are present.
 
 

"Phase behavior and microstructure of block copolymers in selective solvents"
"Effects of cosolvents and cosolutes on self-assembly of amphiphiles (surfactants or polymers)"
"Effect of shear on microstructure of ordered block copolymers"
"Solvent penetration and structure formation in the dissolution of block copolymers"
"Controlled release from hydrogels based on self-assembled amphiphilic block copolymers"
"Interactions between cyclodextrins and hydrophobically modified polymers"

Experimental Techniques: small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), small-angle neutron
scattering (SANS), static light scattering (LS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-vis
spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy,
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), surface
 tensiometry, contact angle measurements, rheology (dynamic mechanical spectroscopy), liquid
chromatography (LC), temperature-jump & stopped flow fast-reaction kinetic techniques,
scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA).
Theoretical Techniques: interfacial phenomena, intermolecular forces, self-assembly theory,
polymer thermodynamics, lattice mean-field models, scaling theory, surface thermodynamics.

National Science Foundation (1999-2003)
Petroleum Research Fund (1998-2001)
The Dow Chemical Co. (2000-2001)
Xerox Foundation (1998-2001)
Landmark Direct Corp. (2000)
Technicor, Inc. (1999-2000)
Protective Closures Co., Inc. (1999)
Bausch & Lomb (1998-1999)
Silipos (1998-1999)
FlexOvit USA, Inc. (1998-1999)
 
 

review articles
    "Solvent-Regulated Ordering in Block Copolymers" Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci.
1999, 4, 130-139. (with R. J. Spontak)
    "Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(propylene oxide) Block Copolymer Surfactants" Curr. Opin.
Colloid Interface Sci. 1997, 2, 478-489.
    "Amphiphilic Copolymers and their Applications" Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci.
1996, 1, 490-501.
    "Block Copolymer Micelles (An Overview)" In Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia,
Salamone, J. C. (Ed.); CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 1996; pp. 743-754. (with T. A. Hatton)

structural polymorphism of block copolymers in selective solvents
     "A Record Nine Different Phases (Four Cubic, Two Hexagonal, and One Lamellar
Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline, and Two Micellar Solutions) in a Ternary Isothermal System of an
Amphiphilic Block Copolymer and Selective Solvents (Water and Oil)" Langmuir 1998, 14,
2627-2638. (with U. Olsson and B. Lindman)
    "Modification of the Microstructure in Poloxamer Block Copolymer - Water - 'Oil' Systems
by Varying the Copolymer Composition and the "Oil" Type: A Small Angle X-ray Scattering and
Deuterium NMR Investigation" J. Phys. Chem. B 1998, 102, 1149-1158. (with P. Holmqvist
and B. Lindman)
     "Structural Polymorphism of Amphiphilic Copolymers: Six Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline and
Two Solution Phases in a Polyoxybutylene-b-Polyoxyethylene - Water - Xylene System"
Langmuir 1997, 13, 23-34. (with U. Olsson and B. Lindman)
    "Lyotropic Liquid Crystallinity in Amphiphilic Block Copolymers: Temperature Effects on
Phase Behavior and Structure of Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-Poly(propylene oxide)-b-Poly
(ethylene oxide) Copolymers of Different Compositions" Langmuir 1996, 12, 2690-2700.
(with D. Zhou and A. Khan)

cosolvent effect on block copolymer self-assembly
  "SANS Investigation of Polyether Block Copolymer Micelle Structure in Mixed Solvents of
Water and Formamide, Ethanol, or Glycerol" Macromolecules2000, 33, 5574-5587. (with L. Yang)
    "Effect of Glycols on the Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers in Water.  II.
Glycol Location in the Microstructure" Langmuir 2000, 16, 3676-3689. (with R. Ivanova and
B. Lindman)
    "Structural Polymorphism of Poly(ethylene oxide)/Poly(propylene oxide) Block Copolymers
in Non-Aqueous Polar Solvents" Macromolecules 1998, 31, 6935-6942.
    "Differential Scanning Calorimetry Investigation on the Effect of Salts on Aqueous Solution
Properties of an Amphiphilic Block Copolymer(Poloxamer)" Langmuir 1997, 13, 6074-6082.
(with J. F. Holzwarth)

block copolymer micellization in aqueous solutions
   "Dynamics of Micro- and Macrophase Separation of Amphiphilic Block-Copolymers in Aqueous
Solution” Macromolecules 1999, 32(17), 5539-5551. (with M. Kositza, C. Bohne, T. A. Hatton,
 and J. F. Holzwarth)
    "Effect of Block Size and Sequence on the Micellization of ABC Triblock Methacrylic
Polyampholytes" Macromolecules 1995, 28, 8604-8611. (with W.-Y. Chen, C.-K. Su,
C. S. Patrickios, W. R. Hertler, and T. A. Hatton)
    "Temperature Effects on Structural Properties of Pluronic P104 and F108 PEO-PPO-PEO
Block Copolymer Solutions" Langmuir 1995, 11, 1468-1476. (with T. Nivaggioli and T. A. Hatton)
    "Micellization of Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(propylene oxide)-Poly(ethylene oxide) Triblock
Copolymers in Aqueous Solutions: Thermodynamics of Copolymer Association"
Macromolecules 1994, 27, 2414-2425. (with J. F. Holzwarth and T. A. Hatton)

solubilization - microemulsions - water-in-oil (reverse) micelles
  "13C NMR Evidence on Amphiphile Lifetime in Reverse (Water-in-Oil) Micelles Formed
by a Poloxamer Block Copolymer" J. Colloid Interface Sci. 1998, 206, 357-360. (with P. C. A.
Barreleiro)
  "Reverse Micelle Formation and Water Solubilization by Polyoxyalkylene Block
Copolymers in Organic Solvent" J. Phys. Chem. B 1997, 101, 8103-8111. (with K. Andersson)
  "Solubilization in Amphiphilic Copolymer Solutions" Surfactant Sci. Ser. 1995, 55,191-235.
(with P. N. Hurter and T. A. Hatton)
  "Thermodynamics of Droplet Clustering in Percolating AOT Water-in-Oil Microemulsions"
J. Phys. Chem. 1995, 99, 8222-8232. (with J. F. Holzwarth and T. A. Hatton)
 
 

· Mr. Brian M. Trapp: Surface Property Modification via Surface Active Displacement Solutions
to Improve Semi-Volatile Organic and High Molecular Weight Compound Bioremediation,
Master of Engineering Project, July 1999.
· Ms. Yining Lin: Surface Characterization of Plain Paper as Applied to Paper-Ink Interactions in
Ink-Jet Printing, Master of Science Thesis, August 1999.
· Mr. Aristides Docoslis: Kinetics of Curing and Dissolution of Phenolic Resins in the Manufacture
and Recycling of Fiberglass Composites, Master of Science Thesis, August 1999.
· Ms. Sungsook Ahn: Phase Behavior and Microstructure of Crosslinked Polydimethylsiloxane
Hydrogels, Master of Science Thesis, January 2000.
· Mr. Jiong Yu: Cross-linking of Amphiphile Self-Assemblies for the Preparation of Nanoporous
Materials, Master of Science Thesis, January 2000.
· Mr. Suddha S. Talukdar: Modelling of Drug Release from Polymer Matrix, Master of Science
Thesis, May 2000.
· Ms. Lin Yang: Microstructure, Dynamics, and Applications of Solvated Amphiphilic Block
Copolymers, Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation, September 2000.
· Ms. Sungsook Ahn: Gel Formation in Solutions of Associating Polymers and Surfactants,
Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation, January 2001 (expected).
· Ms. Yining Lin: Solution and Adsorption Properties of Polymeric Amphiphiles, Doctor of
Philosophy Dissertation, January 2001 (expected).
· Mr. Bradley Songui: Cosolvent Effects on Polymeric Amphiphile Micelle Structure,
Master of Science, May 2001 (expected).
 
 

Faculty Early Career Development Award (CAREER), National Science Foundation (1999-2003)
Member of the Editorial Committee, Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology (2000)
Listed in Who's Who in Plastics and Polymers (2000)
Dow Outstanding New Faculty Award, American Society for Engineering Education (1999)
Outstanding Scholarship in Vacuum Science and Technology, American Vacuum Society (1998)
Riefler Award, University at Buffalo (1997, 1998, 1999)
Article featured on the cover of Langmuir, the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids (1998)
Member, New York Academy of Sciences (1996)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Swedish Natural Science Research Council (1994-1996)
Fulbright Scholar (1989-1994)
Outstanding Presentation Award, American Oil Chemists' Society (1994)
Member, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society (1993)
Keith and Helen Rumbel Fellow (1992)
Haas Family Fellow (1990)
Atlantic-Richfield Foundation Fellow (1989)
Zografaki Prize (1989)
 
 

Registered Professional Engineer (Greece) (2/91)
Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Member, American Chemical Society (ACS)
Member, ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry
Member, ACS Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering
Member, ACS Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Member, Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)
Member, Controlled Release Society (CRS)
Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Member, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

Reviewer for: Macromolecules, Journal of Polymer Science B, Langmuir, Journal of Colloid and
Interface Science, The Journal of Physical Chemistry, Colloid and Polymer Science, ACS
Symposium Series, The Journal of Adhesion, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Nature, Polymer,
Journal of Rheology, Langmuir, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Colloids and Surfaces A,
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Biochemical
Engineering Journal, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, ACS Symposium Series, The
Journal of Adhesion, proposals for the Petroleum Research Fund, the National Science Foundation,
and the Center For Neutron Research (NCRC) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Co-organizer and Chair, Symposium on Dynamics of Self-Organization of Amphiphiles and Colloids,
2001 Spring ACS Meeting.
Organizer and Chair, "Self-Assembly in Solution" sessions, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001
Annual AIChE Meetings.
Organizer and Chair, "Drug Delivery" sessions, 1999 Annual AIChE Meeting.
Organizer and Chair, "Partitioning and Extraction" sessions, International Conference on
Bioseparation Engineering, Nikko, Japan, July 1999.
Co-organizer, UB Chemical Engineering Graduate Research Symposium, November 1999.

Member of the Undergraduate Committee, UB Dept. of Chemical Engineering (9/97-present).
Member of the Faculty Search Committee, UB Dept. of Chemical Engineering (9/98-present).
Member of the Safety Committee, UB Dept. of Chemical Engineering (9/98-present)
 
 

Introduction to Chemical Engineering (CE212) (fall 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
        The course provides an introduction to chemical engineering concepts. Material and
energy balances on chemical processes, phenomena that govern phase equilibria  are covered.
The students gain an appreciation of the engineering approach to solving problems.

Introduction to Polymers (CE435) (spring 1999, 2000)
        Synthesis of polymers.  Solution properties, thermodynamics, and molecular weight
determination.  Solid-state properties of polymers.  Viscoelasticity and rubber elasticity.
Polymer processing and rheology.  Polymer additives, blends and composites.
Degradation, stability, and environmental issues.  Commodity thermoplastics and fibers.
Network polymers: elastomers and thermosets.  Engineering and specialty polymers.

Polymer Physical Chemistry (CE537) (spring 1997, 1999, 2001)
        Chain-like nature of polymers and techniques for the characterization of polymer
molecular weight and size.  Statistical thermodynamics of polymer solutions, phase equilibria
in polymer systems.  Polymers in the amorphous, crystalline, or rubber state. Cross-linked
polymers and rubber elasticity.

Colloid and Surface Phenomena (CE457/527) (spring 1998, 2000)
        Intermolecular and surface forces: dispersion, ionic, Lewis acid-base.Surface
thermodynamics: surface tension, contact angle, electrical aspects. Colloidal dispersions:
stability, aggregation kinetics. Association colloids: micelles, bilayers, microemulsions.
Detergency & emulsions. Surface films. Polymers in colloid systems. Characterization of
colloids and surfaces.
 

List of Scientific Publications

List of Lectures in Conferences