Paul Pavka is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Polymer Science at the University of Akron. He obtained a B.S. with distinction in Materials Science and Engineering from The Ohio State University in June 2006. He joined Professor Puskas’ group in December 2007, after coming to the University of Akron earlier in the year.

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Project Objective: To synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the mechanical properties of arborescent SIBS.

Paul’s current work focuses on evaluating the mechanical properties, in particular fatigue, of arborescent SIBS-type polymers that have been synthesized at the University of Akron pilot plant, and characterized by SEC and NMR at the University of Akron Goodyear Polymer Center.

• Evaluation of polymer architecture on fatigue properties currently underway; at left, a comparison of mid-stiffness values during stepwise increasing load fatigue test
• Fatigue properties key for potential applications as implantable material