latex-ksa.com

Kostas S. Avramidis, Ph. D.

CURRICULUM VITAE

BASF Senior Scientist II, Retired

Latex Polymer Research & Development

kostasa1959@yahoo.com

EDUCATION 

School: University of Illinois Chicago

Degree: Ph. D.

Major: Chemical Engineering

Thesis: The Role of Surface Rheology in Bubble Formation

Year Completed: 1989

School: University of Illinois Chicago

Degree: M.S.

Major: Chemical Engineering

Thesis: Characterization and Rheology of Laterite Suspensions

Year Completed:1985

School: University of Illinois Chicago

Degree: B.S. (Honors)

Major: Chemical Engineering

Thesis: Supercritical Extraction

Year Completed:1982

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Date:05/2023- present

BASF Senior Research Scientist II, retired.

Date:10/2016- 04/2023

Employer: BASF, Charlotte Technical Center, Charlotte, NC 

Department: Latex Product Development and Research 

Description: Senior Scientist II

Date:3/2008-10/2016

Employer: BASF, Charlotte Technical Center, Charlotte, NC 

Department: Latex Product Development and Research 

Description: Senior Scientist I

Date:12/2004-1/2008

Employer: The Dow Chemical Company, UCAR Emulsion Systems, Cary, NC

Department: Emulsion Polymers Research and Development

Description: Product Development Leader

Date: 7/2000-12/2004

Employer: Union Carbide Corporation, UCAR Emulsion Systems, Cary, NC

Department: Latex Research and Development

Description: Senior Research Scientist

Date:12/1995-7/2000

Employer: Union Carbide Corporation, UCAR Emulsion Systems, Cary, NC

Department: Latex Product Development and Research

Description: Research Scientist

Date: 7/1993- 12/1995

Employer: Union Carbide Corporation, UCAR Emulsion Systems, Cary, NC

Department: Latex Product Development and Research

Description: Staff Chemist

Date: 7/1989- 3/1993

Employer: The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI

Department: Design Latex Research

Description: Senior Research Engineer

Date: 1/86- 9/86

Employer: Control Data Corporation, Chicago, IL

Department: Chicago District

Description: Technical Consultant

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY

My research in the 34 years after graduate school focused on emulsion polymerization and latex technology at BASF, UCAR Emulsion Systems (now Arkema) and Dow Chemical.  I have developed new products and optimized existing ones using atmospheric and pressure emulsion polymerization technology.  The emulsion polymer compositions span the breadth of industrial latexes: vinyl-acrylics, vinyl acetate homopolymer, acrylics, styrene-acrylics, vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers and hydrophobically-modified vinyl acetate-ethylene terpolymers, styrene-butadiene, SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) and styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile terpolymers.   In addition to high temperature (hot-polymerization) styrene-butadiene polymerization, my expertise includes low temperature (cold polymerization) of styrene-butadiene rubber.  The latexes products serve the architectural coatings, caulks and sealants, pressure sensitive adhesives, textiles, paper coatings and carpet back-sizing, polymer-modified asphalt (bitumen) emulsions and hot- and cold-mix asphalt applications, waterproofing, elastomeric roof coatings, re-dispersible powders, tape joint compounds, printing and packaging, fiber bonding and tape saturation markets.  

I have been involved with all aspects of emulsion polymer chemistry, polymer characterization and structure-property relationships.  Polymer molecular design and characterization has been critical in meeting opposite performance requirements.  Fundamental studies helped define universal trends in certain performance characteristics that form the foundations of technology platforms.  I developed 3 such technology platforms:

My introduction to the field of emulsion polymers was the polymerization and characterization of latexes used in paper coatings and carpet back-sizing and developing process data to facilitate scale-up of latex recipes.   In addition, examining porous latex process parameters to optimize hiding performance in paint formulations by replacing titanium dioxide, the rheology and wettability of latex paints, the surfactant adsorption onto latex surfaces using microcalorimetry, and surfactant solution behavior.   Controlling the formation of 4-phenyl cyclohexene (4-PCH), a by-product of styrene-butadiene latex manufacture that has been identified as the main odoriferous component in carpet back-sizing was a center-point in my early work in the latex field.

A summary of my latex experience and contributions is outlined below:

modified asphalt (bitumen) emulsions (PMAE) and hot- and cold-mix asphalt applications (CMA and HMA), waterproofing, elastomeric roof coatings, caulks and sealants, pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA), architectural coatings, carpet and paper coatings, re-dispersible powders, tape joint compounds, printing and packaging, fiber bonding and for tape saturation.

scale-up team member for migrating products and technologies from lab to production.

Collaborated with latex product and process development colleagues worldwide.  International latex plant visits as part of latex technology transfer and

technology sharing and scale-up.  Managed intermediate scale latex reactors for

latex product and technology development for different latex market areas.

As a senior scientist, I have been responsible for the development of new products and technologies and have been driven by the business strategies to meet the objectives of the business.  Latex polymers is an area that I have been very enthusiastic working for, tried to lead by example, valued continuous improvement, strived to “act like an owner”, looked for opportunities to create value for the business and have been a firm believer of “we exist for our customers”.  I championed the adoption of new technologies for latex production including one that ensures product consistency, increased productivity, better performance properties and lower cost.  Another technology development that has been patented is based on ethylene emulsion copolymerization and resulted in the offering of modified Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Latexes (modified VAE) for architectural coatings. The third technology that I have developed is the emulsion polymerization of very hydrophobic monomers.  Hydrophobic monomers provide unique performance properties critical in many applications and the technology provides for their efficient polymerization despite their very low water solubility.  My background in surface science, colloid chemistry, transport phenomena and reaction engineering has given me a unique opportunity to work in such an interdisciplinary field as latex polymers.  I have followed the development of new latex products from conception to the pilot plant -to- plant scale-ups and this has given me a unique perspective of the needs and requirements for commercialization.

I have valued teamwork and have worked closely with Process Development, Applications, Technical Service and plant colleagues to scale-up new product and technologies.  I believe teamwork is the best way to assure success and customer approval of a new product.  I have had my research associates run pilot plant runs and write scale-up and project reports.  I wanted the people working with me to feel “good”, motivated, contributing to the team and enjoying their work.  I encouraged my research associates to share and test their ideas and act “like owners”.  This, in turn, helped me learn the non-technical aspects of latex product development. 

In graduate school, my doctoral research in interfacial rheology and bubble mechanics was an extension of my previous research in polymer and suspension rheology and characterization which was part of my MS Thesis.   A strong interest in extending my knowledge in rheology and great enthusiasm for interfacial rheology and multiphase transport, led me to undertake doctoral research with Professor Tsung-Shann Jiang at the University of Illinois Chicago.  My doctoral research centered on two parts: (a) the characterization, i.e., measurement of interfacial shear viscosity and interfacial elasticity of the interface between air and a gelatin-surfactant solution as function of surfactant concentration, solution temperature and gelatin concentration, and (b) the effect of the interfacial properties measured in part (a) on bubble growth and bubble rising.  We have also developed a new method for the measurement of the interfacial dilatational viscosity of Newtonian surfaces.

As part of my MS Thesis at the University of Illinois Chicago, my research originated in the Slurry Pipeline and the Fluid-Particle Laboratories where I have studied suspension and polymer rheology under Professor Raffi M. Turian.  The Fluid-Particle Laboratory had been known for its multidisciplinary approach to problems in rheology and fluid-particle processes.  In the Slurry Pipeline Laboratory the flow experiments included the measurement of the pressure drop for suspension flow in straight pipes, bends, fittings, valves and Venturi meters.  The slurry pilot facility had a 500 gallon capacity holding tank.  It was in these laboratories that I acquired the fundamentals in rheology, particle characterization and non-Newtonian flow.  In the Fluid-Particle Laboratory my research was focused on characterization and rheology.  The characterization experiments included measurements of the particle size, particle size distribution, particle surface area and particle density, suspension density, pH, ionic strength, zeta potential, specific conductance, polymer molecular weight and distribution, sedimentation rates and sediment porosity and average filtration resistance.   The rheological experiments included direct measurement of the yield stress using the vane apparatus, and measurement of the shear stress-shear rate dependence over a very broad range of shear rate using the Brookfield viscometer with both the Couette and the cone/plate configurations and a high-shear capillary rheometer.   I have developed an experimental method for measuring the yield stress of suspensions.   We have proposed a two-parameter non-linear relationship for the yield stress –concentration dependence based on the ratio of the solids volume fraction to the volume fraction at maximum packing of the particles. 

PATENTS and PATENT APPLICATIONS

1.     Block Copolymer Dispersants in Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Latexes for use in Asphalt Emulsion Applications, Patent Application 20230303842, September 28, 2023

2.     Block Copolymers in Elastomeric Coatings, Patent Application 20230303857, September 28, 2023

3.     Fast Drying Asphalt Compositions with Improved Performance at Lower Asphalt Residue, Patent Application 20230227654, July 20, 2023

4.     Isocyanate-modified Asphalt Compositions, Patent Application 20230159760, May 25, 2023

5.     Binder Compositions and Methods of Preparing and Using the Same, Patent Application 20230095635, March 30, 2023

6.     Binder Compositions and Methods of Preparing and Using same, Patent 11,505,636, November 22, 2022

7.     Vinyl Acrylic Copolymers and Methods of making and Use Thereof, Patent 11,427,667, August 30, 2022

8.     High Delamination Strength Carpet Binder, Patent Application 20210395415, December 23, 2021

9.     Latex Styrene Butadiene Powders and Asphalt Composition Comprising Said Powder, Patent Application 20210340337, November 4, 2021

10.  Binder Compositions and Methods of Preparing and using the Same, Patent Application 20210163645, June 3, 2021

11.  (Co)Polymers of Hydrophobic Monomers and Methods of Making and Use Thereof, Patent Application 20210108017, April 15, 2021

12.  Asphalt Compositions and Method of Using Same in Tack Coats, Patent Application 20210017388, January 21, 2021

13.  Styrene Butadiene Latex Binder For waterproofing Applications, Patent Application 20210009731, January 14, 2021

14.  Vinyl Acrylic Copolymers and Methods of making and Use Thereof, Patent Application EP 3,704,169, September 9, 2020

15.  Fast Drying Asphalt Compositions with Improved Performance at Lower Residue, Patent Application 20200299511, December 21, 2016

16.  Compositions comprising a copolymer of a solids grade oligomer and a hydrophobic monomer and/or gas -phase monomer and method of making the same, Patent 10,781,334, September 22, 2020

17.  Binder Compositions and Methods of Preparing and Using the Same, Patent Application 20190375865, December 12, 2019.

18.  Compositions prepared Using an ionic crosslinking agent and Methods of making the same, Patent 10,336,883, July 2, 2019

19.  Crosslinked Products Prepared by Ionically Crosslinking a Solid Grade Oligomer and a Polymer using an Ionic Crosslinking Agent and Methods of Making the Same, Patent Application 20190136061, May 9, 2019

20.  Crosslinked Products Prepared by Ionically Crosslinking a Solid Grade Oligomer and a Polymer using an Ionic Crosslinking Agent and Methods of Making the Same, Patent 10,174,201, January 8, 2019

21.  Latexes Containing Polyphosphoric Acid for Asphalt Modification, Patent Application 20280371251, December 27, 2018

22.  Non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymers, preparation method and use thereof, Patent 9,815,984, November 14, 2017

23.  Co-agglomerated latex polymer Dispersions and Methods of Preparing and using Same, Patent 9,657,112, May 23, 2017

24.  Co-agglomerated latex polymer Dispersions and Methods of Preparing and using Same, Patent Application 20170066847, March 9, 2017

25.  Compositions prepared Using an ionic crosslinking agent and Methods of making the same, Patent Application 20170002172, January 5, 2017

26.  Non-Carboxylated Styrene-Butadiene Copolymers, Preparation Method and Use Thereof, Patent Application 20160289451, October 6, 2016.

27.  Non-Carboxylated Styrene-Butadiene Copolymers, Preparation Method and Use Thereof, Patent 9,365,797, June 14, 2016

28.  Styrene-acrylic-based binders and methods of preparing and using same, Patent 9,309,351, April 12, 2016

29.  Crosslinked Products Prepared by Ionically Crosslinking a Solid Grade Oligomer and a Polymer using an Ionic Crosslinking Agent and Methods of Making the Same, Patent Application 20160046810, February 18, 2016

30.  Compositions comprising a copolymer of a solids grade oligomer and a hydrophobic monomer and/or gas -phase monomer and method of making the same, Patent Application 20160032138, February 4, 2016

31.  Styrene-based copolymers having acid monomer units and dispersions thereof, Patent 9,139, 720, September 22, 2015.

32.  Non-Carboxylated Styrene-Butadiene Copolymers, Preparation Method and Use Thereof, Patent 8,952,092, February 10, 2015

33.  Non-Carboxylated Styrene-Butadiene Copolymers, Preparation Method and Use Thereof, Patent Application 20140378603, December 25, 2014

34.  Styrene-butadiene-based binders and methods of preparing and using same, Patent 8,901,220, December 2, 2014

35.  Styrene-based copolymers having acid monomer units and dispersions thereof, Patent Application 20130289173, October 31, 2013

36.  Non-Carboxylated Styrene-Butadiene Copolymers, Preparation Method and Use Thereof, Patent Application 20130289172, October 31, 2013

37.  Styrene-Acrylic -Based Binders and Methods of Preparing and Using same, Patent Application 20120152459, June 21, 2012

38.  Styrene-butadiene-based binders and methods of preparing and using same, Patent Application 20110214796, September 8, 2011

39.  Emulsion Polymerization of Hydrophobic Monomers, Patent Application 20090264585, October 22, 2009

40.  Ethylene latex copolymer Compositions, Patent 6,329,447, December 11, 2001

41.  Latexes with Good adhesion and surface tack over green cement, Patent Application 20020037956, March 28, 2002

EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE

42.  Vinyl Acrylic Copolymers and Methods of making and Use Thereof, EP 3704, 169 A1, September 9, 2020

43.  Polymers Modified Asphalt Compositions, EP 2,627,681 B1, September 19, 2018

44.  Ethylene Latex Compositions, EP 0,998,505 B1, March 31, 2004

45.  Emulsion Polymerization of Hydrophobic Monomers, EP 1,802,671 A1, April 7, 2007

46.  Co-agglomerated latex polymer Dispersions and Methods of Preparing and using Same, EP 2,448,973 A1, May 9, 2012

47.  Polymer Modified Asphalt, EP 2,627,704 B1, August 22, 2018

48.  Compositions comprising a copolymer of a solids grade oligomer and a hydrophobic monomer and/or gas -phase monomer and method of making the same, EP 2,270,546 B1, February 2, 2018

49.  Crosslinked Products Prepared by Ionically Crosslinking a Solid Grade Oligomer and a Polymer using an Ionic Crosslinking Agent and Methods of Making the Same, EP 2,970,517 B1, January 1, 2020

50.  Asphalt Compositions prepared using an Ionic crosslinking agent and Method of making the same, EP 3,083,772 B1, September 11, 2019

51.  Fast Drying Asphalt Compositions with Improved Performance at Lower Asphalt Residue, EP 3,394160 A1, October 10, 2018

52.  Latexes Containing Polyphosphoric Acid for Asphalt Modification, EP 3,394,177 A1, October 31, 2018

53.  Binder Compositions and Methods of preparing and using the same, EP 3,545,014 A1, October 2, 2019.

54.  Vinyl Acrylic Copolymers and Methods of making and Use thereof, EP 3,704, 169 A1, September 9, 2020.

55.  (Co)Polymers of Hydrophobic Monomers and Methods of Making and Use Thereof, EP 3,752,543 A1, December 23, 2020

56.  Asphalt Compositions and Method of using same in tack Coats, EP 3,775,049 B1, October 18, 2023

57.  Latex Styrene Butadiene Powders and Asphalt Composition Comprising Said Powder, EP 3,856,844 A1, August 4, 2021

58.  Isocyanate-modified Asphalt Compositions, EP 4,146,740 A1, March 15, 2023

PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS

1. “Modified Vinyl Acetate-Ethylene Latexes for Architectural Coatings,” International Coatings Expo (ICE) 2004, Proc. Conference, Paper 4, 2004

2. “Clear Choice-UCAR Latex 9192 For Clear Sealants”, Adhesives and Sealants

Industry, 11, No. 5, p. 19-23, June 2004

3. “Rate, Temperature and Substrate Effects in the Adhesion of Emulsion Pressure Sensitive Adhesives,” Annual Meeting of the Adhesion Society, February 1999.

4. Comments on “Measurement of Interfacial Dilatational Viscosity at High Rates of Interface Expansion Using the Maximum Bubble Pressure Method,” J. Colloid Interface Sci., 155, 516-517 (1993).

5. “Yield Stress of Coal-Water Mixtures,” Fuel, 72(9), 1305-15 (1993).

6. “Settling and Rheology of Suspensions of Narrow-Sized Coal Particles,” AIChE. J. 38(7) 969-987 (1992).

7. “Measurements of Interfacial Shear Viscoelasticity with an Oscillatory Torsional Viscometer,” J. Colloid Interface Sci. 146(1), 90-122 (1991)

8. “Measurement of the Interfacial Dilatational Viscosity,” J. Colloid Interface Sci. 147 (1), 262-273 (1991)

9. “The Yield Stress of Laterite Suspensions,” J. Colloid Interface Sci., 143 (1), 54-68 (1991)

10. Presentations at Dow Chemical Annual Surfactants symposia and Dow Chemical/Dow Corning Annual Scientific Meetings, 1991-1992

10.“Measurement of Interfacial Viscoelasticity with a Torsional Rheometer,” AIChE Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, November 11-16, 1990.

11. “Interfacial Viscoelasticity of Gelatin-Surfactant Solutions,” Symposium on Latexes, 22nd ACS Central Regional Meeting, Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, Michigan, June 7, 1990.

12. “Interfacial Dilatational Viscosity,” 200th ACS National Meeting Washington, D.C., August 28, 1990.

13. “Rheology of Laterite Suspensions,” 45th ACS Fall Scientific Meeting, Midland, Michigan, November 11, 1989

14. “Interfacial Viscoelasticity of Emulsions 571 and 573” Proprietary Report LPB 41849-F, E.I.  Du Pont De Nemours and Co., 1987.

15. “Stability, Rheology and Flow of Laterite Slurry,” International Fine Particle Research Institute, IFPRI, Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois pp. 1-14, June 9-13, 1985.

16.“Rheological Behavior of Concentrated Titanium Dioxide Suspension,” report RR-S E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Co., 1983.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL HONORS

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

 TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY

Date: 9/1986- 6/1989

Employer: University of Illinois at Chicago

Department: Chemical Engineering, Interfacial Transport Laboratory

Description: Teaching and Research Assistant

Courses: Engineering Thermodynamics, Unit Operations I (Momentum and Heat Transfer), Unit Operations III (Mass Transfer Operations), Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, Advanced Mass Transfer

Date: 7/1985- 5/1986

Employer: Truman College

Department: Engineering

Description: Instructor

Courses: Engineering Graphics, Introduction to Engineering

Date: 10/1983- 7/1985

Employer: University of Illinois at Chicago

Department: Chemical Engineering, Fluid-Particle Research Laboratory

Description: Research Assistant

Date: 12/1982 – 10/1983

Employer: University of Illinois at Chicago

Department: Chemical Engineering, Slurry Pipeline Transport Laboratory

Description: Research Assistant

Date: 9/1982- 6/1983

Employer: University of Illinois at Chicago

Department: Chemical Engineering

Description: Teaching Assistant and Laboratory Instructor

Course: Engineering Thermodynamics, Unit Operations Laboratory Instructor

I had been a teaching assistant in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago for approximately 4 years assisting with ChE 201 (Engineering Thermodynamics), ChE 234 (Unit Operations I- Momentum and Heat Transfer) , ChE 235 (Unit Operations Laboratory I), ChE 237 (Unit Operations Laboratory II), ChE 287 (Unit Operations III – Mass Transfer Operations), ChE 331 (Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics) and ChE 439 (Advanced Mass Transfer-graduate level course).

My experience included preparing and conducting lectures, supervising laboratory sessions, providing individual tutoring and grading exams and problem sets.  I also dealt with such administrative matters as arranging and proctoring exams.   I especially enjoyed interacting with students.  My background in terms of the number and type of formal courses taken is almost equally spread among Transport Phenomena, Thermodynamics and Applied Mathematics.  My interests have been primarily in Interfacial Phenomena, Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, Polymers, Flow through Porous Media, Transport Phenomena as well as specialized courses in Rheology, Colloid Chemistry and Applied Mathematics.

In my time as student, I was most impressed with teachers who were interested in their material and conveyed that interest, and who were able to present material in an organized, logical, and prepared manner.   These are the same goals I have set for myself in teaching.

Contact Us

Get in touch today and discover how our expertise in emulsion polymers and latex technology can benefit your business.

Contact Us