Recent book honors Dr. Joseph P. Kennedy, international leader in polymer research, education, invention

To say that Dr. Joseph P. Kennedy has impacted the field of polymers would be an understatement.

For more than 50 years, Kennedy has been at the forefront of polymer research and innovation in The University of Akron’s (UA) School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering (SPSPE) as a distinguished professor of polymer science and chemistry.

During the past five decades, Kennedy played a key role in the development of UA’s polymer science and polymer engineering program and has since become one of the most respected and prolific academic inventors in the country. He has authored 5 books, over 700 publications and garnered more than 140 patents for his inventions, which include lifesaving materials and technologies.

Now Kennedy is the source and inspiration for a recently published polymer book, authored and edited by his former students and postdocs, for current and future scientists.

The idea for Macromolecular Engineering: Design, Synthesis and Application of Polymers was formed after a symposium held at UA in May 2018 to celebrate Kennedy’s 90^th birthday. The editors, Alex Lubnin and Gabor Erdodi, former postdocs of Kennedy, participated in this event along with former students and researchers of Kennedy. As the preface to the book states, “While the lectures were highly technical, the speakers recognized their erstwhile mentor who guided them not only in polymer science but also in nontechnical matters to become highly successful professionals.

“For former students, postdocs, visiting scientists, and visitors, Professor Kennedy has become a role model not only in the technical field but also personally. For many of us, we are fortunate to call him a friend and be a part of his extended family. He inspired us to have a lifetime hunger for knowledge, values for compassion, philanthropy, hard work, bravery, integrity, and commitment. He definitely touched our lives for which we are extremely grateful. We also would like to express our gratitude to his wonderful wife Ingrid, as there is always a great woman behind every great man.”

The book honoring Kennedy “explores the role of macromolecular engineering in the development of polymer systems with engineered structures that offer the desired combination of properties for advanced applications.”

Kennedy continues to inspire UA graduate students and mentors younger faculty today. He is active in the commercialization of his research, the most notable example being the invention of the polystyrene - polyisobutylene - polystyrene thermoplastic elastomer (SIBS). SIBS is the biocompatible coating used by Boston Scientific on the world’s most popular drug eluting cardiovascular stent implanted in over 6 million patients worldwide.