Webinar

Uncommon Material Combinations & Processing Methods for Improved Performance & New Applications of Common Polymers

Prof. Gary E. Wnek

Department Chair

Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering

Case Western Reserve University

Monday, May 18,   Webinar at 6:00 PM Pacific time

Abstract

There is a significant need to add value to existing high-volume polymeric materials, from commodity polyolefins through engineering plastics and elastomers. Of particular interest are approaches that are scalable, scrapless, and solvent-free. We will discuss two initiatives that attempt to address these important needs: (1) cold-rolling, well-known in the ductile metals industry but less appreciated for the processing of semi-crystalline plastics, and (2) fiber production via a unique variant of multi-layer co-extrusion. Cold-rolling has been shown to increase the toughness of the engineering thermoplastic poly(p-phenylene sulfide) and the biodegradable polyester poly(l-lactic acid) without the aid of toughening agents, and is being explored to improve the mechanical properties of otherwise incompatible polymer blends such as HDPE/PP. Fiber fabrication of incompatible HDPE/PP blends via co-extrusion has been studied, and mechanical properties of blended fibers with those of pure components will be compared. Advantages of both approaches will be discussed. Also, attention has been directed toward application of unvulcanized rubbers, with confinement in layers with thermoplastic elastomers obviating the need for vulcanization. Applications in the area of impact-damping will be discussed.

Speaker Background

Gary Wnek is Joseph F. Toot, Jr., Professor of Engineering and Professor and Chair of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.  Gary’s research interests include fibrous polymers and gels for applications in drug delivery and regenerative medicine, synthetic macromolecular constructs that mimic physiological functions, adding value to common polymers using uncommon processing approaches, and flammability mitigation of common polymers. He has authored or co-authored over 215 publications and holds 39 US patents.  Gary earned his Ph.D. In Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and his B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2024.

Registration deadline: Sunday, May 17, 1:00 PM.

Registration may close earlier than the nominal deadline if capacity is reached.

This event will be FREE OF CHARGE, but we still require you to fill out the registration form. In particular, we need to have your name and email address for you to be able to participate. Please provide affiliation also if you can, as it helps us judge audience interests.

If you can spare a small amount, GGPF requests an optional donation of $5 (or more) but this is not required to register and attend the webinar.

To register for free, use the pull-down toggle to select "All registrants ($0.00)" choice.

To donate, use the pull down toggle to select "GGPF donation ($5.00)". This will direct you to a secure link where you can use PayPal or any credit or debit card. For larger donations, use the "Donate to GGPF" link on the front page GGPF.org

Webinar Timing: 6:00 PM.

(Zoom meeting room will open earlier)

Attendees who complete the registration form will receive information by email for how to participate. It is requested that people join the meeting invitation well before 6:00 PM to avoid delays.

Registrants will receive the information needed to join the webinar within a day of the event in an email from “events@ggpf.ccsend.com”. To be certain of seeing the note, please add events@ggpf.ccsend.com to your safe mail senders list, and/or look in your spam, updates, or other mailbox locations in addition to your primary Inbox.

Please register on the web page.

You should receive email confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.

Do not reply to email from events@ggpf.ccsend.com

For questions or other assistance, contact:

Clayton Henderson

macro2nano@verizon.net

Attendees will be added to the GGPF email announcements list unless they request otherwise.

A GGPF & Silicon Valley ACS joint hybrid presentation

Reprogramming How We Interface with the Human Body: How High-Resolution 3D Printing Can Make the Unmakeable

Prof. Joseph M. DeSimone

Departments of Radiology and Chemical Engineering

Stanford University

This seminar presentation will be on Monday, June 8, Starting at 6:00 PM Pacific time.

An in-person networking hour on the Stanford campus precedes the live presentation from 5:00 - 6:00 PM.

Abstract:

Throughout my career, I’ve been guided by the belief that transformative advances in medicine don’t arise solely from new molecules, but equally from rethinking how those molecules are formulated and delivered to the body. This mindset has led to a series of unconventional dosage and delivery innovations—from biodegradable drug-eluting stents (BVS, Inc., acquired by Guidant and now part of Abbott; co-founded with Bob Langer), to precisely engineered microparticles for inhalation (Liquidia Technologies; NASDAQ: LQDA), to iontophoretic platforms for localized chemotherapy (Focal Medical; IND approved by the FDA, with patients treated beginning March 2026)—each opening new therapeutic frontiers.

Today, advances in high-resolution 3D printing are enabling a new chapter in this journey: the ability to engineer the skin as a programmable biological interface. Using microscale additive manufacturing, we can create intradermal delivery systems that precisely control where and how therapeutics are introduced, while simultaneously enabling access to rich biological information through interstitial fluid.

This bi-directional paradigm—delivering therapies while sampling biology—opens a fundamentally new approach to medicine. By targeting the skin and its underlying lymphatic network, we can more effectively engage the immune system, access early disease signals, and move beyond traditional blood-based diagnostics toward continuous, minimally invasive liquid biopsy.

Importantly, this is not simply a new device or formulation—it represents a scalable platform. Rather than building a traditional therapeutic pipeline molecule by molecule, these technologies enable a delivery-centric model that can be applied broadly across vaccines, biologics, and diagnostics.

In this talk, I will outline how focusing on new dosage delivery forms and new devices for liquid biopsies—now powered by high-resolution 3D printing—is redefining our interface with the human body, transforming both how we treat disease and how we measure health.

Speaker Background:

EVENT DATE: Monday, June 8

Registration deadline: Sunday, June 7, 1:00 PM.

Special notes when registering for this joint webinar:

Please fill out the survey question as to whether your primary affiliation is to GGPF, SVACS, both, or neither.

Silicon Valley ACS is hosting the presentation for this hybrid meeting on the Stanford campus, along with a networking hour beforehand. If you are interested in attending, select the Yes answer to that question when registering, and you will be contacted by SVACS with more information.

Registration may close earlier than the nominal deadline if capacity is reached.

This event will be FREE OF CHARGE, but we still require you to fill out the registration form. In particular, we need to have your name and email address for you to be able to participate. Please provide affiliation also if you can, as it helps us judge audience interests.

If you can spare a small amount, GGPF requests an optional donation of $5 (or more) but this is not required to register and attend the webinar.

To register for free, use the pull-down toggle to select "All registrants ($0.00)" choice.

To donate, use the pull down toggle to select "GGPF donation ($5.00)". This will direct you to a secure link where you can use PayPal or any credit or debit card. For larger donations, use the "Donate to GGPF" link on the front page GGPF.org

Presentation Timing: 6:00 PM.

(Zoom meeting room will open earlier)

Attendees who complete the registration form will receive information by email for how to participate. It is requested that people join the meeting invitation well before 6:00 PM to avoid delays.

Registrants will receive the information needed to join the webinar within a day of the event in an email from “events@ggpf.ccsend.com” To be certain of seeing the note, please add events@ggpf.ccsend.com to your safe mail senders list, and/or look in your spam, updates, or other mailbox locations in addition to your primary In Box.

Please register on the web page.

You should receive email confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.

Do not reply to email from events@ggpf.ccsend.com

For questions or other assistance, contact:

Clayton Henderson

macro2nano@verizon.net

Attendees will be added to the GGPF email announcements list unless they request otherwise.

Reminder:  if you are interested in the SVACS hosted in person presentation on the Stanford campus, remember to click the YES button below when registering.