DR. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY
Distinguished Professor of Polymer Science
Biomaterials, Isobutylene Polymers, Cationic Polymerization
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Department of
Polymer Science
The University of Akron, OH
330-972-7512
[email protected]
Biography: Joseph P. Kennedy has had
a long and accomplished career as a
researcher, scientist, educator, and
inventor, both in industry and academia.
Additionally,
he
is
active
in
commercialization of his research, the
most notable example being the invention
of the polystyrene - polyisobutylenepolystyrene thermoplastic
elastomer
(SIBS). SIBS is
the
biocompatible
polymer used by Boston Scientific as the
coating on the world’s most popular drugeluting cardiovascular stent, which has
been implanted in over 6 million patients
worldwide.
Representative Awards/Distinctions/
Accomplishments:
•
Charter Fellow of the National
Academy of Inventors (2013)
•
•
Elected Fellow, ACS (2012)
Patent Legacy Award, Ohio Academy
of Science (2011)
Fellow of the American Institute of
Medical and Biological Engineering
(2010)
Goodyear Medal and Award (2008)
•
•
•
Honorary Doctorate, The University of
Akron (2008)
•
Special Creativity Awards by the National Science
Foundation (1993, 1997, and 2005)
•
Award for Distinguished Service to Polymer Science,
Society of Polymer Science, Japan (2000)
•
Award for Distinguished Service to Polymer Science,
Society of Polymer Science, Japan (2000)
•
George S. Whitby Award for Teaching and Research,
Rubber Division, Am. Chem. Soc. (1996)
•
Award in Applied Polymer Science (international),
American Chemical Society (1995)
•
Special journal issue in honor of J. P. Kennedy, J.
Macromol. Sci.-Pure Appl. Chem., Vol. 31, No. 8 (1994)
Honorary Doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa, D.H.C.),
Kossuth Lajos University, Hungary (1989)
•
•
Award in Polymer Chemistry (international),
American Chemical Society (1985)
•
Author/Co-author of 5 books and well over 700
publications
•
Inventor of well over 100 US Patents, several
licensed and in commercial production
Research Interests: Kennedy’s current research concerns the
synthesis of novel biomaterials based on his seminal invention
of the carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene. SIBS is the
most commercially-advanced isobutylene-based thermoplastic
elastomer, a most biostable material with physical properties
intermediate between silicone rubber and polyurethane. In
March 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved
the use of the SIBS polymer as a drug-delivery coating for
coronary stents, citing its excellent processibility, durability,
biocompatibility, and drug-delivery profile. More recently, he
has extended this work to telechelic PIB-diols which can be
used to synthesize biostable polyurethanes and polyureas with
unprecedented hydrolytic, oxidative, and enzymatic stability
and have been shown to withstand the hostile, corrosive
biochemical environment in the human body. Other PIB
molecular architectures of interest include designed copolymers
of acrylamide/siloxane and or isobutylene for a bioartificial
pancreas membrane, an acrylate- based PIB for toughened
bone cements, and a cyanoacrylate-tipped PIB for wound
closure adhesives and tissue sealants.
Industrial Sector Focus:
Biomaterials- smart polymers for biomedical
applications, amphiphilic polymer conetworks, artificial
pancreas membranes
Thermoplastic Elastomers –SIBS, polyurethanes, polyureas,
telechelic polymers
Isobutylene Polymers – functionalized isobutylene
copolymers with high performance characteristics