EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University Ph.D. graduate Hamid Asemani and Professor Vijay Mannari were recently honored with the CoatingsTech Best Paper Award at the American Coatings Association's (ACA) 2021 CoatingsTech Conference for their co-authored paper and presentation titled, "Advanced Dual-curable Coatings Obtained from Multi-Functional Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane Oligomers." 

The paper focused on Strategic Environmental Research Development Program (SERDP)-funded research involving the design, development, and evaluation of innovative non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) coating systems for advanced military coating systems. Isocyanate compounds are now known as toxic and hazardous substances but are currently used as components of many military coatings. This research is aimed at replacing isocyanate compounds with safer and efficient alternatives. Specifically, the paper details how NIPUs prepared by environmentally sustainable routes can be customized for high-performance military coating systems by leveraging dual-cure chemistries.

According to a release from the ACA, The CoatingsTech Best Paper Award recognizes the best overall paper contributed to the CoatingsTech Conference and is accompanied by a cash prize.

At present, Asemani is an R&D scientist at Rust-Oleum Corporation. He earned his Ph.D. in Polymers and Coatings from Eastern Michigan University in 2020.

“This project provided me with an opportunity to learn and contribute to this vitally important research space while working on my Ph.D. dissertation at EMU,” said Asemani. 

Mannari is a distinguished professor of polymers and coatings and Director of the Coating Research Institute (CRI) in the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology's School of Engineering Technology at EMU. He has more than 25 years of combined experience in academia, applied research, and leadership in industrial research and development. 

Professor Mannari says the best-paper award recognizes the ingenuity and technical leadership of CRI researchers for their contribution to advanced and sustainable technology development. He has established a rigorous research program at the Coatings Research Institute of EMU with more than $2.15 million in research funding over the last several years. He has co-authored more than 45 publications in juried journals, one technical book, three book chapters, five US patents, and numerous presentations. He has mentored six candidates through their Ph.D. degrees. 

For more information on the EMU School of Engineering, check out the program's homepage. 

Through a series of specialized lectures from notable industry experts and focused technical sessions, ACA's CoatingsTech Conference provides a forum for all levels of coatings professionals and students to participate and learn from each other. Embracing the theme, "Essential Coatings Technology: Supporting Tomorrow's Sustainable Development Challenges Today," the 2021 conference featured the latest science and technology developments, including advance notice on technology-forcing factors to help industry set a sustainable trajectory for the future.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.