Rep. Sykes Announces Over $660,000 in Federal Funding for Polymer Research at the University of Akron
AKRON, OH —U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced that the National Science Foundation awarded the University of Akron $660,421 in funding for a program titled, "Crystallization and Reorganization Pathway of Semicrystalline Polymers.”
“Ohio’s 13th Congressional District has long been a trailblazer in polymer science and polymer engineering. I am pleased to announce this funding, which will help ensure this legacy for years to come, as the University of Akron continues to shape polymer science and development,” said Rep. Sykes.
"I am honored to receive this NSF award, as it highlights the importance of understanding semicrystalline polymers at the molecular level. This research will help us unlock new possibilities for stronger, more efficient materials. I am excited to continue this work and contribute to advancements that could shape the future of polymer science,” said Professor Toshi Miyoshi of the University of Akron School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering.
Professor Miyoshi will oversee the four-year research project, which focuses on semicrystalline polymers, a type of plastic used in everything from grocery bags to high-performance fibers. These materials get their unique strength from the way their molecular structures form and reorganize during processing. This project will explore how semicrystalline polymers crystallize and change at the molecular level, paving the way for the development of new and improved materials in the future. The research will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029.