Spring 2007 Newsletter
Q & A with Chemir
This issue’s featured researcher is Dr. Hebi Bai, a senior scientist who has worked at Chemir Analytical Services for almost 10 years. Dr. Bai is an expert in polymer chemistry with a specialty in polyurethane chemistry. Although she’s not a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist, she has successfully completed jobs that troubleshoot problems in both professions: ranging from artificial bone and tissue to polymers used as high temperature rocket coatings. Hebi was happy to sit down with us for a few minutes to share her Chemir experiences.
Q: What did you do before coming to Chemir?
HB: I worked at the Polymer Institute in Detroit, Michigan under the direction of Dr. Frish. We did a lot of work involving the recycling of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, and glass reinforced polyurethane composites for the automotive industry. I researched formulations of waterborne polyurethane adhesives and coatings for the automobile industry as well as chemical resistant polyurethane coatings in using a supercritical CO2 fluid spray process to reduce VOCs. I also was involved in consulting for scratch resistant thermoplastic elastomers for automobile bumpers.
Q: What are your favorite types of jobs at Chemir?
HB: Typically I really enjoy doing failure analysis and deformulation projects. I remember one legal job involving failed windows made of a glass-polyester composite that were supposedly hurricane resistant. The question was whether the glass windows failed due to installation or formulation. The litigation had the potential to be worth millions. I was able to solve the case very quickly, which was satisfying.
I tend to like the challenging jobs because I enjoy the problem solving aspects of them. Also, there is a certain degree of self-fulfillment after solving a difficult problem.
Q: What interesting developments have you noticed in the polymer world in the last decade?
HB: Mostly I’ve been interested in all of the new additives used to improve the properties of polymers, for example, new UV stabilizers and antioxidants. Also, the incorporation of degradable additives to make the polymers degrade instead of filling up landfills. The industry is also incorporating the use of more co-polymer materials and composites, and new types of polymers are being patented and used in biomedical applications. Same examples are an alloy of a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) block terpolymer used as artificial tissue and the UV-cured polyurethanes used in dental fillings.
Q: What is your favorite polymer?
HB: Well, it is hard to say. Every polymer finds it’s special applications. But if I had to choose one, I would say polyurethanes, definitely!
Q: Why polyurethanes?
HB: Mostly because of the extensive variety of applications in which they can be used and exhibit good properties. Polyurethanes are magic materials. They can be formulated and produced as thermoplastics, different foams, elastomers, elastomeric fibers, adhesives, paints and coatings. They have applications everywhere, from household to almost in every industry. Recently, they commonly are being used in biomedical applications such as artificial bones, cardiovascular applications, artificial organs, tissue replacement and augmentation as well as drug delivery.
Q: What is your favorite instrument?
HB: NMR. . .GC/MS. . .FT-IR. . .SEM/EDXA – it is hard to choose just one!
Q: What do you like most about working at Chemir?
HB: The fact that we get interesting and challenging projects to work on, which add precious chemical experience and knowledge to chemists. I also enjoy the environment here. It encourages multidisciplinary interaction, scientific excellence, teamwork and individuality.