Home > Faculty > Dr. Puskas

Dr. Judit E. Puskas

Ph.D., Professional Engineer
Professor of Polymer Science

Education

• 1990 Ph.D., Plastics and Rubber Technology (Polymer Engineering), Technical University of Budapest, Chemical Engineering
• 1985 Candidate of Chemical Sciences (Ph.D.), Hungarian Academy of Sciences
• 1983 MLEE College Budapest, Diploma of Economy and Philosophy
• 1977 Diploma of Organic and Biochemical Engineering (Master's Degree), Candidate of Chemical Sciences (Ph.D.)

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Research Interests

Green polymer chemistry, natural rubber biosynthesis, enzymatic catalysis, biomimetic polymerizations, polymers for biomedical application, polymer synthesis and characterization (SEC expert); polymer structure-property relationships, living/controlled polymerizations, elastomer/rubber science and engineering, biomacromolecular engineering, polymerization kinetics/mechanisms, women in science and engineering, science and engineering education.

Contact Information

Dr. Judit Puskas
The University of Akron
Department of Polymer Science
Goodyear Polymer Center, Rm. 420
Akron, Ohio 44325-3909

Email: jpuskas@uakron.edu
Voice: (330) 972-6203
Fax: (330) 972-5290

Recent Publications

• J. E. Puskas, L. Muñoz-Robledo, R. A. Hoerr, J. Foley, S. P. Schmidt, M. Evancho-Chapman, J. Dong, C. Frethem, G. Haugstad: Drug Eluting Stent Coatings. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews WIRE, accepted (2008)
• J. E. Puskas, M. El Fray, M. Tomkins, L. M. Dos Santos, Frank Fischer, V. Altstädt: Fatigue Testing of Implantable Specimens; Effect of Sample Size and Branching on the Dynamic Fatigue Properties of Polyisobutylene-based Biomaterials. Polymer 2009, 50, 591-597.
• J. E. Puskas, M. El Fray, M. Tomkins, L. M. Dos Santos, Frank Fischer, V. Altstädt: Dynamic Stress Relaxation of Thermoplastic Elastomeric Biomaterials. Polymer 2009, 50, 245-249.
• Heidenreich, A.H., Puskas, J.E. Synthesis of Arborescent (Dendritic) Polystyrenes via Controlled Inimer-Type Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Polymerization. J. Polym. Sci. Chem. 2008, 46, 7621-7627.
• M. Y. Sen, J. E. Puskas, S. Ummadisetty, J. P. Kennedy: Greeen Polymer Chemistry: II Enzymatic Synthesis of Methacrylate-terminated Polyisobutylenes. Macromol. Rapid Comm. 29, 1598-1602 (2008)
• K. Kunal, M. Paluch, C. M. Roland, J. E. Puskas, Y. Chen, A. P. Sokolov: Polyisobutylene: A Most Unusual Polymer. J. Polym. Sci. B, Polym. Physics, 46, 1390-99 (2008)
• S. Hayat Soytas , J. E. Puskas, K. Kulbaba: Real-time FTIR Monitoring of the Mechanism of Initiation of Isobutylene Polymerizations by Epoxide/Lewis Acid Systems. J. Polym. Sci. A, Polym. Chem, 46, 3611-18 (2008)
• M.Piatek, M.El Fray, J.E. Puskas: Radiation Degradation and Crosslinking of Elastomeric Biomaterials. Elastomery 12, 20-23 (2008)
• J. E. Puskas, M. Y. Sen, J. R. Kasper: Green Polymer Chemistry: Telechelic Poly(ethylene glycols) via Enzymatic Catalysis. J. Polym. Sci., Chem, 46, 324-27 (2008) Featured by VCH-Materials Views 6/5/08
• J. E. Puskas, E. A. Foreman, L. M. Dos Santos, S. Hayat-Soytas: Characterization of Polymer Architectures by Multidetection Size Exclusion Chromatography. Makromol. Chem, Macromol. Symp., 261, 85-90 (2008)

Patents

• J.E. Puskas, A. Heidenreich: Synthesis of Dendritic (arborescent) Polymers with Living RAFT Polymerization. US Disclosure # 746, Provisional application, 2008
• J.E.Puskas, C. McMahan, A. Deffieux, J.P. Kennedy: Biomimetic Process for the Synthesis of Natural Rubber. UA Disclosure #731, Provisional application 2008.
• J.E. Puskas: 1. Biocompatible Carbon- and Silica-reinforced TPE Nanocomposites. UA Disclosure #729, PTC Patent application, 2008
• J.E.Puskas, M. Sen: Process of Preparing Functionalized Polymers via Enzymatic Catalysis. UA Disclosure #707, PTC Application, 2008.
• J.E. Puskas, G. Kaszas, K. Kulbaba: Arborescent Polymers and Process for Making Same. UA Disclosure #638/639, UA/LANXESS Provisional Patent Application, 2006; UA/LANXESS PTC Patent Application, 2007.
• J.E. Puskas, J.P.Kennedy, A. Deffieux, H. Mayr: UA Disclosure. #603, 2006
• J.E. Puskas: Arborescent Polyisobutylene-Polystyrene Copolymers, Method of Producing and Purifying Same. UA Provisional Patent Application #592, 2006; US Patent Application 2007.
• J.E.Puskas, A.Ebied, B. Lamperd: Less Lethal Ammunition for Peace Keeping. US Patent Application filed (provisional: 2003, final: 2004)
• J.E.Puskas, C.Paulo and P.Antony: Novel Highly Branched Thermoplastic Elastomers. US Patent 6,747,098 (2004)
• J.E. Puskas: Initiators for Carbocationic Polymerization of Olefins. US Patent 6,495,647(2002)
• J.E. Puskas: Initiators for Carbocationic Polymerization of Olefins. US Patent 2,268,446(2001)
• J.E.Puskas and S.Barghi: Characterization of Heterogeneous Catalysts by Electrical Measurements. US Patent applied for (1998); abandoned.
• J.E.Puskas and S.Barghi: Characterization of Adsorbents by Electrical Measurements. US 6,593,747 (2003)
• W.Baade, R.Heinrich, G.Langstein, T.Mülder, J.E.Puskas: Process for the Production of Polyisoolefins, US 5,543,479 (1996)
• W.Baade, G.Langstein and J.Puskas: Process for the Production of C4-C16 Alkyl Rubbers Using the Slurry Process, US 5,539,065 (1996)
• G.Langstein, O.Nuyken, W.Obrecht, J.Puskas and K.Weiss: Production of Highly Branched Isoolefins. US 6,156,859(2000)
• G.Kaszas and J.E.Puskas: Compositions of Butyl Elastomers and Block Copolymers of Polyisobutylene U.S. 5,276,094 (1994)
• J.E.Puskas and G.Kaszas: Butyl Rubber with Bimodal Molecular Weight Distribution. U.S. 5,194,538 (1993)
• G.Kaszas, J.E.Puskas and J.P.Kennedy: Uniform molecular weight polymers. U.S. 5,169,914 (1992)
• J.E.Puskas, G.Kaszas and J.P.Kennedy: UV-curable polymer formulations. U.S. 5,171,760 (1992).
• J.P.Kennedy, G.Kaszas, J.E. Puskas, W.G.Hager: New thermoplastic elastomers. U.S. 4,946,899 (1990). FDA Approval for drug-eluting coronary stent application (to Boston Scientific Co., 2004); in commercial production (Kaneka Inc., BASF AG)
• G.Kaszas, J.E.Puskas and J.P.Kennedy: Improved thermoplastic elastomers. U.S. 208,374 (1989).
• G.Kaszas, T.Kelen, J.P.Kennedy, J.E.Puskas and F.Tudos: Cationic process for the preparation of copolymers with controlled composition and microstructure. Hung. Teljes HU 32,843 (1987).

Professional Affiliations

• 2008-present Society for Biomaterials
• 1993-present Association of Professional Engineers Ontario
• 1990-present American Chemical Society
• 1990-present Rubber Division
• 1990-present Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering Division
• 1990-present Polymer Chemistry Division
• 1991-1993 American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• 1991-1993 Association of Professional Chemists of Ontario

Honors

2008 - Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award, ACS Rubber Division; Best Student Poster Award, ACS Rubber Division
2007 - Best Student Poster Awards in Green Polymer Chemistry: ACS Rubber Division, SPE
2006 - Poster on the Hill, REU Program: C. L. Hoch, L. Dos Santos, and J. E. Puskas: Synthesis and Purification of 4-(2-methoxy-isopropyl) styrene Inimer. April 24-25, Washington D.C.; Inventors' Wall of Fame, UA: US 4,946,899 generated >$5 million in license fees.
2004-08 - LANXESS Industrial Chair in Polymer Science
2003 - Best student poster: A.Ebied, B.Kumar, J.E.Puskas, B. Lamperd: Novel Butyl Composites for Less-lethal Ammunition. ACS Rubber Division, 164th Technical Meeting, October 14-17, Cleveland, OH Best Paper - Honourable Mention; Best Symposium: J.E.Puskas, Y. Chen: Novel Thermoplastic Elastomers for Biomedical Applications. Paper#40, ACS Rubber Division, 163nd Technical Meeting, April 28-30, San Francisco, CA
2002-04 - DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) - Mercator Visiting Professor, University of Bayreuth, Germany
2000 - Premier's Research Excellence Award, Canada
1999 - Professional Engineers Ontario - Engineering Medal, Research and Development
1998-03 - Bayer/NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Elastomer technology
1997 - Bayer Sarnia Site Quality Excellence Award
1995 - Bayer North American Quality Excellence Award
1986-89 - Visiting Scientist Fellowship at the University of Akron
1985 - National Award for Outstanding Research in Polymer Science, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Books/Book Chapters

12. J.E. Puskas: New Elastomers; Biomacromolecular Engineering via Carbocationic Polymerization. Current Topics in Elastomer Research, A.K. Bhowmick Ed., CRC Press, 193-219 (2008)
11. J.P.Kennedy and J.E.Puskas: Thermoplastic Elastomers by Carbocationic Polymerization. In "Thermoplastic Elastomers", 3rd   Ed, G. Holden, H.R.Kricheldorf, R. Quirk (Eds.), Hanser Publishers, Munich, 285-321, (2004).
10. J.E.Puskas, G. Kaszas: Carbocationic Polymerization. Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, V5, 382-418, Wiley-Intersci. (2003)
9. J. E. Puskas, A. J. Michel, L. B. Brister, E. Tzaras, G. Marr, M. Hoffman and K. Weiss: Real-time Fiber Optic Monitoring of Solution and Suspension Polymerization Processes. "In situ Spectroscopy of Monomer and Polymer Synthesis", 37-58,  J.E.Puskas, T.E.Long and R.F.Storey Eds., Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers,N.Y.  (2003)
8. S. Shaikh, S. van Zanden, J. E. Puskas:  Introduction to Real-time Infrared Spectroscopic Monitoring. "In situ Spectroscopy of Monomer and Polymer Synthesis", 1-8,  J.E.Puskas, T.E.Long and R.F.Storey Eds., Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers,N.Y.  (2003)
7. J.E.Puskas: in Polyisoprenoids, Biopolymers, Vol. 2. A. Steinbüchel, Ed. Wiley-VCH, (2001)
6. J.E.Puskas: Developments in Diene-Based Rubbers. A. Bhowmick, Ed. Marcel Dekker, (2000)
5. J.E.Puskas, M.G. Lanzendörfer, H.Peng, C.Paulo, L. B.Brister and A. Michel: Kinetics of the Living Polymerization of Isobutylene.  Proceedings of the NATO ASI "Ionic Polymerizations and Related Processes", NATO Science Series 359, 143-160, Kluwer Academic Publishers (1999)
4. A. Michel, L. B.Brister and J.E.Puskas: Novel Epoxide Initiators for Carbocationic Polymerizations. NATO ASI "Ionic Polymerizations and Related Processes", NATO Science Series 359, Kluwer Academic Publishers (1999)
3. G.Langstein, W.Obrecht, J.E.Puskas, O.Nuyken, M.Grassmüller and K.Weiss: New Branched Polyisobutylenes and Butyl Rubbers by the Inimer Method: Proceedings of the NATO ASI "Ionic Polymerizations and Related Processes", NATO Science Series 359, 31-44, Kluwer Academic Publishers (1999)
2. J.E.Puskas, G.Wilson, J.Duffy: Synthesis of Butyl Rubber by Cationic Polymerization. Ullman's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Vol. A23, Section 3.3. 51-57 (1998)
1. G.Kaszas, J.E.Puskas and W.Baade: Butyl and Halobutyl Rubbers; Chapter in the Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia, J.Salamon Ed., CRC Press, Inc. (1996)

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