We all know that polyolefins are incredibly versatile materials that have application in many kinds of packaging and other products. However, they are hydrophobic and it can be difficult to compatibilize their surfaces with other …
Polymer Science
MEPE Minute: Plasticosis is officially a “thing”
For some years now, it has been known that plastic pollution is increasingly collecting in bodies of water (salt and fresh) and elsewhere in our environment. In most locations where they look, scientists find plastic; …
Flexibility and Accessibility are Key Factors in International Student’s Success
Completing an online master’s degree while halfway around the globe from your teachers and classmates is no easy feat. Chih-Jung “Rong” Lin completed the online Manufacturing Systems Engineering degree without leaving his home and career …
MEPE Minute: Ohio train derailment and plastics related pollution
Earlier this month, a train derailment in Ohio caused a number of chemicals to be released into the environment. Those chemicals included 3 monomers; vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, and ethyl hexyl acrylate that are used …
Interactive, Online Graduate Engineering at UW–Madison Ranks Highly
After twelve consecutive years of high rankings, UW-Madison’s College of Engineering has ranked #8 for online graduate engineering and #5 for veterans for 2023. “As a leader in online graduate engineering education for over 25 …
MEPE Minute: Faculty Spotlight on Dr. Bob Weiss
We are excited to spotlight the instructor for EPD 640, Introduction to Polymer Rheology, Dr. Bob Weiss. Dr. Weiss has had a long career as a polymer physicist and rheologist and as an educator. After …
MEPE Minute: How concerned should we be about the omnipresence of microplastic?
Many of us have become accustomed to seeing newspaper headlines about the alarming presence of microplastics – small particles of plastic with a dimension less than 100 microns – in our environment. First microplastics were …
Meet the MEPE Faculty! Prof. Don Baird
This fall, MEPE launched its updated curriculum, which includes two new core courses EPD 640 Introduction to Polymer Rheology and EPD 650 Introduction to Polymer Processing. For both of these courses we have brought in …