Prof. Dr. Richard J. Spontak

Profile

Academic positionFull Professor
Research fieldsExperimental and Theoretical Physics of Polymers,Preparative and Physical Chemistry of Polymers,Metallurgical, Thermal and Thermomechanical Treatment of Materials
KeywordsCarbon capture, Thermoplastic elastomer, Multifunctional polymer, Block copolymer, Soft material
Honours and awards

2025: Acta Materialia Hollomon Award for Materials and Society

2024: Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining Medal for Excellence

2024: NC State Jackson Rigney International Service Award

2024: Norwegian University Sci. & Technol. Honorary Doctorate

2023: Institution of Chemical Engineers Underwood Medal

2023: Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society McDonald Mentor Award

2022: American Chemical Society (PMSE Division) Roy W. Tess Award in Coatings

2022: Elected fellow, American Chemical Society (PMSE Division)

2022: Institution of Chemical Engineers Global Award (Research Project of the Year)

2022: NC State Alexander Q. Holladay Medal for Excellence

2022: NC State R.J. Reynolds Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research & Extension

2022: Society of Polymer Science (Japan) International Award

2018: NC State Outstanding Global Engagement Award

2016: Promoted to Distinguished Professor at North Carolina State University

2015: Society of Plastics Engineers International Award

2014: Elected fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry

2014: Elected member, Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences

2014: Fulbright Senior Specialist Fellowship

2012: Alcoa Distinguished Engineering Research Award

2012: Norwegian University of Science & Technology Lars Onsager Professorship and Medal

2011: Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining Colwyn Medal

2008: American Chemical Society (Rubber Division) Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award

2008: University of North Carolina Board of Governors' Award for Excellence in Teaching

2007: German Electron Microscopy Society Ernst Ruska Prize

2006: American Chemical Society (PMSE Division) Cooperative Research Award in Polymer Science & Engineering

Current contact address

CountryUnited States of America
CityRaleigh
InstitutionNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh
InstituteDepartment of Chemical Engineering

Host during sponsorship

Prof. Dr. Heino FinkelmannInstitut für Makromolekulare Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg
Prof. Dr. Wolfram GronskiInstitut für Makromolekulare Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg
Start of initial sponsorship01/05/1998

Programme(s)

1997Humboldt Research Fellowship Programme

Publications (partial selection)

2001Richard J. Spontak, Elisabeth A. Wilder, Steven D. Smith: Improved Network Development in Bidisperse AB/ABA Block Copolymer Gels. In: Langmuir, 2001, 2294-2297
2001Richard J. Spontak, P. Figueiredo, S. Geppert, R. Brandsch, G. Bar, R. Thomann, W. Gronski: Ordering of Cylindrical Microdomains in Thin Films of Hybrid Isotropic/Liquid Crystalline Triblock Copolymers. In: Macromolecules, 2001, 171-180
2000Richard J. Spontak, Nikunj P. Patel: Thermoplastic elastomers: fundamentals and applications. In: Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, 2000, 334-341
1999Richard J. Spontak, Megan R. King, Scott A. White, Steven D. Smith: Mesogel Networks via Selective Midblock Swelling of Lamellar Triblock Copolymers. In: Langmuir, 1999, 7886-7889