"ARO Polymer Chemistry Program Overview"

This event is sponsored by FAMU-FSU Engineering Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering.

Abstract: The impact of polymeric materials on Army applications is undeniable. Polymers are integral to a wide variety of applications in Soldier protection and lethality as well as sensing, ground and air vehicles, and fires. The Polymer Chemistry program at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Army Research Office (ARO) supports basic, fundamental research in polymer science directed towards the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymers with the goal of linking the molecular level structure through the atomic/molecular- nano- and microstructural continuum to bulk macroscopic properties. The program supports research thrusts aimed at polymer synthesis methodology focused on developing new approaches for preparing well-defined polymers and advanced polymer networks seeking new methods to access topologically controlled networks incorporating various stimuli responsive functionalities. In this talk, Dr. Lambeth will provide an overview of the program highlighting various research areas of interest and recent accomplishments and describe how these research findings may one day impact Army applications. Insights into funding mechanisms, the proposal process, and interacting with program managers will also be discussed.

Dr. Robert (Bob) H. Lambeth

Program Manager, Army Research Office

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Lab (ARL)

Bio: Dr. Robert H. Lambeth is currently the Program Manager (PM) for Polymer Chemistry in the Army Research Office (ARO), at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Lab (ARL). In his current role as PM, he supports basic, foundational research in polymer science in support of the Warfighter. The goal of his program is to link the molecular level structure of polymers through the atomic/molecular- nano- and microstructural continuum to bulk macroscopic properties through investments in polymer design, synthesis, processing, and characterization.

Prior to serving as PM, Dr. Lambeth was Executive Fellow in the Research Business Directorate and Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD) where he directly supported the Office of the SES Director. Prior to that, he was a research chemist in the Polymers Branch and Composites and Hybrid Materials Branch in the Sciences of Extreme Materials Competency. Prior to federal service, Dr. Lambeth was an ORISE Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Multifunctional Materials Branch in the Materials and Manufacturing Sciences Division of WMRD.

Dr. Lambeth holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the University of Illinois (2008) and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota (2002). He has 93 total publications including peer reviewed journal articles (28), patents (2), ARL tech reports (20), book chapters (1), preprints (5), and archived conference proceedings (37) and is a member of the American Chemical Society.