John R. Dorgan
Professor
Research Description
I believe
in balancing experimental work with theoretical and modeling studies.
Theoretical models provide the framework for interpreting experimental
results available from rheology, ellipsometry, microscopy, and spectroscopy
experiments. I am working to advance the science and technology of biobased
polymers, polymer membranes, and the computer simulation of polymeric
materials.
Ecological concerns are a predominant theme for the 21st century; humanity must
develop sustainable systems for materials and fuels. Biologically derived and
inspired materials offer hope for achieving this important goal. Also, nanotechnology
is rapidly expanding and its convergence with both biology and ecology is now
being recognized. Ecobionanocomposites are a new class of green materials that
exploit this triple convergence of technologies and are an active area of investigation
within my group. In this technical area, we work to maximize the renewable content
of these next-generation plastics materials under the guidelines
of the principles of green chemistry.
The long-term transition away from fossil fuels towards a sustainable system
of providing fuels and materials is the greatest technical challenge facing humanity.
Our efforts are aimed at improving the efficiency of present systems while working
to develop new technologies that are inherently more environmentally benign and
sustainable. Clearly, this is an important and exciting area in which to work
and there is much to be done!
selected Publications
Decorating in Green: Surface Esterification of Carbon and Cellulosic Nanoparticles, Margaret J. Sobkowicz, Birgit Braun, John R. Dorgan, Green Chemistry, 11(5), 680-682 (2009).
Single-Step Method for the Isolation and Surface Functionalization of Cellulosic Nanowhiskers, Birgit Braun, John R. Dorgan, Biomacromolecules, 10 (2), 334-341 (2009).
Controlled dispersion of carbon nanospheres through surface functionalization, Margaret J. Sobkowicz, John R. Dorgan, Keith W. Gneshin, Andrew M. Herring, J. Thomas McKinnon, Carbon 47, 622-628 (2009).
The bulk modulus and Poisson's ratio of ''incompressible'' materials, P.H.Mott, J.R. Dorgan, C.M. Roland, Journal of Sound and Vibration 312, 572-575 (2008).
Bioengineering for pollution prevention through development of biobased energy and materials: State of the Science Dianne Ahmann, John R. Dorgan. Industrial Biotechnology 3(3), 218-259 (2007).
Non-equilibrium nanoblends via forced assembly for pervaporation separation of benzene from cyclohexane: UNIFAQ-FV group contribution calculations, Nam S.Y., Journal of Membrane Science, 306(1-2), 186-195 (2007).