Friction Processes (Interfacial Phenomena in Soft Materials)

Course description
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: 240 South Forge Street, Akron, Ohio 44325
Classroom 217 (Located inside the National Polymer Innovation Center)
Cost: $750.00 USD
CEU's: 0.4
Instructor: Adrian P. Defante, Ph.D.

Course Overview

(2 hrs. each day)

The interfacial and surface related phenomena towards soft materials (1) adhesion (2) friction (3) fracture (4) wetting and (5) adsorption. The courses can be taken as individual sections, but for best learning outcomes it is best to take all of them.  Each course focuses on terminology, definitions, and concepts that help students understand the principles that develop a language to define each interfacial process. Fundamental understanding will first be taught and used  as foundation to better understand the practical aspects of each topic.  Some concepts may be repeated for learning reinforcement and for those that may have not taken related topics.  Application of this knowledge will help students understand how to test, troubleshoot and analyze data relevant to the focus topic.  Throughout the lecture, discussion topics and activities will be posed to students in an online format.  These activities are designed to reinforce concepts, engage student learning, and promote the incorporation of new ideas into the learner’s education/professional practice that are technically sound.

Online Course Requirements

We want you to have a great experience participating in our remote (online) courses, and for that, you’ll need the right equipment and internet connection.

Minimum needs are:

• A broadband internet connection that has at least a 2 Mbps upload and download speed.
• A computer (PC or Mac) that can support the latest web browser versions.
• At least 4 GB of RAM and adequate hard drive space.
• A microphone and a speaker.

For more information, visit our Online Course Requirements webpage.

Instructor Biography:

Adrian is originally from Cleveland, Ohio where he finished his PhD in Polymer Science.  He has a Masters and Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Florida and the University of Cincinnati respectively.  At the University of Akron, he focused his studies on adhesion and friction phenomena in underwater environments.  At the National Institute of Standards and Technology, he worked as an NRC postdoc in the Bioprocess Measurements group focused on the characterization of sub micrometer particles using orthogonal measurement techniques relevant to the bio manufacturing industry.  He then applied his knowledge of surfaces and interfaces towards understanding how interfaces influence the formation of protein aggregates and sub visible particles.  This work was done in collaboration with AstraZeneca while part of the Polymers and Complex Fluids Group at NIST.   His industrial experience ranges from food science, manufacturing, ink and formulation development.  Currently he is working at Hollister Inc. focused on barrier technology for ostomy care devices using his expertise to better understand the skin-material interface.