Mark K. Davis' Home Page

Address:

Department of Polymer Science
University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-3909 USA
Tel: (330) 972-8606
Fax: (330) 972-6581

Education

• University of Lowell (Univ. of Massachusetts/Lowell)
  • B.S. Plastics Engineering, 1981.
• University of Akron, Akron, Ohio
  • Ph.D. Polymer Science, 2000.

Research Interests

Characterization of polymer morphology/microstructure by atomic force microscopy (AFM)

Note: The background of this page is a tiled 70 x 70 �m image of a nylon polymer surface

Technical Background

• Over fifteen years of involvement in the selection of non-metallic materials for use in engineering applications, especially in high technology applications.
• Experienced in materials suitablility determination from an engineering design standpoint, involving consideration of mechanical, chemical, and environmental resistance properties of materials.
• Familiar with interactions between chemical impurities and metallic componets/systems.
• Particularly knowledgeable in the laboratory synthesis and formulation of urethane and epoxy resin systems to meet specific properties requirements. Supervised laboratory investigations in non-metallic materials (plastics, elastomers, lubricants, adhesives, and coatings) for past ten years.

Industrial Achievements

• Established and supervised a urethane elastomer casting facility providing high purity elastomeric components to the nuclear industry.
• Developed materials critical to streamlining nuclear service jobs, resulting in cost savings. Developed elastomeric parts for a process which resulted in annual savings of $450,000.
• Developed and taught in-house course on plastic materials to engineering staff.

Employment

• ABB Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor CT
  • Senior Development Engineer, Non-Metallic Materials Services, 1989-1993
  • Development Engineer, Non-Metallic Materials Engineering, 1984-1989.
• Springborn Laboratories, Inc. Enfield, CT
  • Project Leader, Materials Science & Technology, 1982-1984.
  • Project Leader, Engineering & Applications, 1981-1982.

Publications

• Design and Fabrication Issues for Small Scale SMES, paper presented at Cryogenic Engineering Conference, Huntsville, AL, June 11-14, 1992.
• A Possible Basis for Non-Destructive Characterization of Ropes of Nylon-6, Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 503, 243 (1998).

Patents

• Transitory Fuel Rod Guidance System, No. 5,174,948, December 29, 1992.
• Internal Fuel Rod Coating, No. 5,319,690, June 7, 1994.
• Internal Fuel Rod Coating Comprising Metal Silicate, No. 5,412,701, May 2, 1995.

Awards and Honors

• ABB/C-E Technical Excellence Award, 1990.
• John D. Ferry Fellowship, American Chemical Society Rubber Division, 1995.
• Best Research Presentation, Univ. of Akron, Dept. of Polymer Science, Fall 1999.

Personal Interests

• Computer hobbyist
• Genealogy
• Contemporary French literature (really!)

Interesting Links to Other Places

• Davis Family genealogy
• The Chris Elliot Appreciation Page
• Mary's Unofficial NRBQ Site