Prof. Brian Long
“Harnessing the Power of Catalysis and Polymers to Address Modern Challenges in 3D Printing and Gas Separation”
Abstract: The Long Research Group utilizes the tools of organic synthesis, polymer science, and organometallic chemistry to address interdisciplinary challenges within the fields of macromolecular (polymer) chemistry and catalyst design. Our research projects are often fundamental in nature, but aim to tackle research problems and topics with real-world implications extending well-beyond the academic laboratory. Over the past several years, our research group has led advancements in olefin polymerization catalyst design, ring- opening polymerization catalysis, and tailored gas separation membranes. For this talk, I will focus on some of our more recent results that aim to address current limitations within the field of olefin polymerization catalysis and accessing microstructurally controlled gas separation membranes. More specifically, this talk will highlight our efforts to: a) develop a new olefin polymerization methodology, termed photoinduced olefin polymerization (PIOP), that may provide the enabling chemistry required to 3D print polyolefins directly from monomer, and b) harness the power of Ni and Pd coordination-insertion polymerization catalysts to construct polynorbornene- based gas separation membranes with controlled side group functionality and backbone sequence for the separation of greenhouse gases and purification of natural gas.
