Emily Pentzer, PhD
Texas A&M
Biography:
Emily Pentzer is Professor of Chemistry (with courtesy appointments in Materials Science and Engineering and Chemistry Engineering) at Texas A&M University. She is also a Presidential Impact Fellow and serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Research in the College of Arts & Sciences. Her research addresses the design, synthesis, and application of composite soft matter for energy related applications, converging polymer chemistry and processing to solve complex societal challenges. She is the recipient of multiple honors and awards including the NSF CAREER award (2016), CWRU Faculty Diversity Excellence Award (2019), ACS WCC Rising Star Award (2021), and the Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award (2024). She currently serves as inaugural Editor in Chief of RSC Applied Polymers and recently completed her term as a member of the third cohort of the New Voices program of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2024-2026).
Abstract:
The Pentzer Lab’s work centers on developing the next generation of polymer composites for advanced technologies by using both chemistry and processing. Emulsions, where droplets of one liquid are suspended in another, are used as templates and combined with polymerizations to produce liquid-filled composite structures. Highlights include the encapsulation of task specific liquids for use in gas sequestration (including carbon dioxide and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)); formation of particles and capsules for use as inks for additive manufacturing; and the encapsulation of solid-liquid phase change materials for passive thermal energy management. The presentation will highlight the challenges and opportunities of this platform for addressing societal challenges at scale.
Emily Pentzer is Professor of Chemistry (with courtesy appointments in Materials Science and Engineering and Chemistry Engineering) at Texas A&M University. She is also a Presidential Impact Fellow and serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Research in the College of Arts & Sciences. Her research addresses the design, synthesis, and application of composite soft matter for energy related applications, converging polymer chemistry and processing to solve complex societal challenges. She is the recipient of multiple honors and awards including the NSF CAREER award (2016), CWRU Faculty Diversity Excellence Award (2019), ACS WCC Rising Star Award (2021), and the Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award (2024). She currently serves as inaugural Editor in Chief of RSC Applied Polymers and recently completed her term as a member of the third cohort of the New Voices program of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2024-2026).
Abstract:
The Pentzer Lab’s work centers on developing the next generation of polymer composites for advanced technologies by using both chemistry and processing. Emulsions, where droplets of one liquid are suspended in another, are used as templates and combined with polymerizations to produce liquid-filled composite structures. Highlights include the encapsulation of task specific liquids for use in gas sequestration (including carbon dioxide and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)); formation of particles and capsules for use as inks for additive manufacturing; and the encapsulation of solid-liquid phase change materials for passive thermal energy management. The presentation will highlight the challenges and opportunities of this platform for addressing societal challenges at scale.
