Reflections on the Past and Future of Polyether Elastomers and on Redox Emulsion Polymerization

Abstract I am greatly honored to have been selected to receive the prestigious Charles Goodyear Medal of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society. My work in the rubber field falls into two general areas: (1) early discoveries on the redox emulsion polymerization of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and (2) polyether elastomers. I am perhaps best known for my work on polyether elastomers since I discovered, patented, and helped develop several families of polyether elastomers which were commercialized and are still important speciality elastomers. Most of my talk will be in that area. However, my SBR studies included my first important polymer-science discovery and preceded those who independently discovered the same systems and who were able to develop them commercially to the considerable advantage of our largest volume synthetic rubber, SBR. After briefly reviewing these past areas, I will give you my reflections on what important future developments for the rubber field could arise in the polyether area.