Anon Photo

Gary Wnek

Department Chair, Macromolecular Science and Engineering
Joseph F. Toot, Jr., Professor of Engineering
Professor, Macromolecular Science and Engineering
Develops advanced polymers for packaging, biomaterial applications and more.
Office: 416 Kent Hale Smith
Phone Number: (216) 368-3116

Education

Ph.D., Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 1980
B.S., Chemical Engineering, WPI, 1977

Awards and Recognitions

2017, Nominated for the Tau Beta Pi Srinivasa P. Gutti Memorial Engineering Teaching Award,

Research Interests

Polymers for regenerative medicine and drug delivery<br>Macromolecular constructs with biological cell-like properties<br>Printable, polymer-based microfluidic platforms<br>Novel fire-resistant polymers

Teaching Interests

Polymer Engineering<br>Product Design<br>The Business of Polymers<br>Professional Communication for Engineers<br>Biology for Engineers

Patents Received

2020, "Polymer Nanonfiber Scaffolds And Uses Thereof," US 10,751,293 B2, Eric Baer, Gary Wnek, Mohammad Mofidfar, Jia Wang.
2015, "Controlled Crosslinking Processing of Proteins," Gary Wnek.

Patents Pending

2012, "Articles Mimicking Naturally Occuring Materials and Structures and Apparatus and Methods for Forming the Same," LaShanda Korley, Gary Wnek, David Stone, Nandula Wanasekara.

Publications

Zhang, C., Cheng, C., McMullen, N., Wnek, G. E., Olah, A., & Baer, E. (2022). High elastic modulus polyethylene – a two-stage multi-axial rolling and orientation process. Polymer, 256 (21), 125180.
McMullen, N., Zhang, C., Cheng, C., Wnek, G. E., Olah, A., & Baer, E. (2022). Hierarchical solid-state structure and mechanical property relationships in cross-rolled polyethylene. Polymer, 254 (125039).
Wang, X., Price, E., Wnek, G. E., Olah, A., & Baer, E. (2022). Oriented Tapes of Incompatible Polymers Using a Novel Multiplication Co-Extrusion Process. Polymers, 14 (18), 3872.
Souza, C., Feng, J., Olah, A., Baer, E., Mauler, R., & Wnek, G. E. (2022). A Novel PLA High Oxygen Barrier Multilayer Film/Foam. , 3 (4), 179.
Souza, C., Feng, J., Olah, A., Baer, E., Mauler, R., & Wnek, G. E. (2022). A Novel PLA High Oxygen Barrier Multilayer Film/Foam. SPE Polymers, 3 (4), 179.
Kozawa, S., & Wnek, G. E. (2020). Macromolecules of the Cell: A Polymer Science Viewpoint. Polymer International, ().
Forbes, G., Merkulova, A., Pinheiro, A., Lee, J., Zeng, P., Abdalian, S., ... Schmaier, A. (2020). Poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) is a contact system activator with properties to stop hemorrhage. Thrombosis Research, 193 (), 142-145.
Souza, C., Feng, J., Olah, A., Wnek, G. E., & Baer, E. (2020). Thermoformable high oxygen barrier multilayer EVOH/LDPE film/foam. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137 (30).
Price, E., Covello, J., Tuchler, A., & Wnek, G. E. (2020). Intumescent, Epoxy-Based Flame-Retardant Coatings Based on Poly(acrylic acid) Compositions. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 12 (16), 18997-19005.
Miller, C., Zorman, C., & Wnek, G. E. (2020). An Improved Tactile Sensing Device for Material Characterization via Friction-Induced Vibrations. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 303 (), 111824.
Brannum, D., Price, E., Villamil, D., Kozawa, S., Brannum, M., Berry, C., ... Wnek, G. E. (2019). Flame-Retardant Polyurethane Foams: One-Pot, Bioinspired Silica Nanoparticle Coating. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 1 (8), 2015-2022.
Wang, X., Li, X., Grimme, C., Olah, A., Baer, E., & Wnek, G. E. (2019). Fabrication of Surlyn ionomer fibers using a novel coextrusion approach and mechanical property characterization. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, ().
Wang, X., Li, X., Grimme, C., Olah, A., Baer, E., & Wnek, G. E. (2019). Fabrication of Surlyn ionomer fibers using a novel coextrusion approach and mechanical property characterization. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, ().
Brannum, M., Steele, A., Venetos, M., Korley, L., Wnek, G. E., & White, T. (2019). Light Control with Liquid Crystalline Elastomers. Advanced Optical Materials, 7 (6).
Samid, G., & Wnek, G. E. (2019). The �Rock of Randomness�: a physical oracle for securing data off the digital grid. MRS Communications, 9 (01), 67-76.
Walker, A., Vratsanos, M., Kozawa, S., Askew, T., Hemmendinger, K., McGrail, B., ... Wnek, G. E. (2019). Enhanced elasticity in poly(acrylic acid) gels via synthesis in the presence of high concentrations of select salts. Soft Matter, 15 (38), 7596-7604.
Mofidfar, M., Wang, J., Long, L., Hager, C., Vareechon, C., Pearlman, E., ... Wnek, G. E. (2017). Polymeric Nanofiber/Antifungal Formulations Using a Novel Co-extrusion Approach. AAPS PharmSciTech [15309932], 18 (), 917.
Wnek, G. E. (2017). Structure–Property Relationships of Small Organic Molecules as a Prelude to the Teaching of Polymer Science. Journal of Chemical Education, 94 (), 1647.
Matthews, B., Storr-Paulsen, T., Wang, A., Ghezzi, C., Wang, S., Fullana, M., ... Dartt, D. (2016). Artificial Polymeric Scaffolds as Extracellular Matrix Substitutes for Autologous Conjunctival Goblet Cell Expansion. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science [01460404], 57 (14).
Meng, L., Klinkajon, W., K-hasuwan, P., Harkin, S., Supaphol, P., & Wnek, G. E. (2015). Electrospun crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) fiber constructs: towards a synthetic model of the cortical layer of nerve. POLYMER INTERNATIONAL, 64 (1), 42-48.
Schiraldi, D. A., Johnson, J., & Wnek, G. E. (2015). Electrophoretic Calcium Phosphate Mineralization of Collagen hydrogels. Green Materials, 3 (), 3.
Wnek, G. E. (2014). Electrospun Polymer Fibers as a Versatile Delivery Platform for Small Molecules and Macromolecules. , 190 (), 34-36.
Khampieng, T., Wnek, G. E., & Supaphol, P. (2014). Electrospun DOXY-h loaded-Poly(acrylic acid) Nanofiber Mats: In-vitro Drug Release and Antibacterial Properties Investigation. J. Biomaterials Sci. Polymer Ed, 25 (), 1292.
Wang, J., Langhe, D., Ponting, M., Wnek, G. E., Korley, L. T., & Baer, E. (2014). Manufacturing of polymer continuous nanofibers using a novel co-extrusion and multiplication technique. Polymer, 55 (2), 673-685.
Klinkajon, W., Shannon, H., K-hasuwan, P., Supaphol, P., & Wnek, G. E. (2014). Electrospun Crosslinked Poly (Acrylic Acid) Fiber Constructs: Toward a Synthetic Model of the Cortical Layer of Nerve. Polymer International, ().