DR. MARK D. FOSTER
Thomas A. Knowles Professor of Polymer Science
Structure & Dynamics of Thin Films & Surfaces
Research Interests:
Structure and dynamics of polymer systems, especially in
thin films and at interfaces; Surface segregation in
polymer blends; Effect of polymer architecture on blend
thermodynamics and and the surface fluctuations that
impact wetting, adhesion, and tribology. Water at
interfaces and its role in corrosion. Novel X-ray and
neutron reflection and grazing incidence scattering
techniques; scanning probe microscopies, and other
techniques for surface characterization.
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Unique Laboratory Facilities:
• X-ray reflectometer for study of surfaces and thin films
1 nm - 200 nm thick
Department of
Polymer Science
University of Akron, OH
330-972-5323
[email protected]
www2.uakron.edu/cpspe/foster/
index.html
• Two-wavelength laser ellipsometer
•
IAtomic Force Microscope with Pulsed Force Mode
•
Spin coater
Biography:
B.S. ChE Washington University 1981
Ph.D. ChE U. Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1987
Postdoc & temp Staff Scientist
Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research,
Sr. Posdoc with Frank Bates,
U. Minnesota 1989-90
9/08- present: Assoc. Dean, College of Poly
Sci. & Poly Engr.
9/08- present Director, Akron Global
Polymer Academy
9/05 – 9/08: Chair, Dept. Polymer Science
7/04 – 9/08:
Assoc. Director, AGPA
8/99 – present: Prof., Polymer Science, UA
8/98 – 12/98: Visiting Prof., MPIP, Germany
8/95 – 7/99: Assoc. Prof., Polymer Sci., UA
11/90 – 7/95: Asst. Prof., Polymer Sci., UA
Awards/Accomplishments:
Sparks-Thomas Award, American Chemical
Society Rubber Division, May 2005
Outstanding Researcher Award, The University
of Akron (2004)
Graphic from Highlight in Aug. 8 2013, Phys. Rev. Lett.
Recent Publications/Patents:
1. J. Lee, N-H. Lee, S. Peri, C.F. Majkrzak, R. Hu, D.T.
Wu, M.D. Foster, "Surface Segregation Driven by
Molecular Architecture Asymmetry in Polymer
Blends," Physical Review Letters 112, in press 2014
2. S. Wang, S. Yang, J. Lee, B. Akgun, D.T. Wu,
M.D. Foster, “Anomalous Surface Relaxations of
Branched Polymer Melts,” Physical Review Letters
111, 068303, 2013.
3. W. Yu, S.R. Peri, M.D. Foster, “Manipulation of
Polymer/Polymer Interface Width from Nonequilibrium Deposition,” ACS Appl. Materials and
Interfaces, 5, 2976, 2013.
4. S. Wang, X. Li, R.L. Agapov, C. Wesdemiotis, M.D.
Foster, “Probing Surface Concentration of Cyclic/
Linear Blend Films Using Surface MALDI-TOF Mass
Spectrometry,” ACS Macro Letters, 1, 1024, 2012.
5. S.R. Peri, B. Akgun, S. Satija, H. Jiang, J. Enlow, T.J.
Bunning, and M.D. Foster, “Control of Interface
Nanoscale Structure of Films Created by Plasma
Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition,” ACS Applied
Materials & Interfaces, 3, 3375, 2011.