A pioneer in rubber recycling, Dr. Avraam Isayev, distinguished professor of polymer engineering at The University of Akron, received the 2014 International Award from the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE). The International Award is the highest honor bestowed by SPE, recognizing recipients for outstanding lifetime achievements in the plastics industry.
Isayev, nominated by his peers, has made significant contributions to polymer engineering through his revolutionary research on rubber recycling.
He discovered and patented the method to break the vulcanized, or cross-linked, bonds in rubber, using ultrasonic devulcanization. His discovery has helped solve major rubber recycling concerns worldwide.
“Dr. Isayev’s history of groundbreaking research exemplifies the superior quality of UA’s College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering,” says Stephen Z.D. Cheng, dean of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering; Trustees professor, polymer science; and Robert C. Musson professor, polymer science. “The positive, global impact of his achievements work to advance the polymer industry on an international scale.”
Isayev received the award at the Annual Technical Meeting (ANTEC) held in Las Vegas on April 27.
Story by Anna Tultz
Media contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.
Dr. Avraam Isayev