BennyFreeman

About

Freeman’s research explores the relationship between polymer structure, processing and properties. More specifically, his lab studies the effect of polymer structure on the solubility, diffusivity, and permeability of small molecules in polymers and polymer-based materials. These fundamental studies bear directly upon membranes for liquid, gas, and vapor separations; controlled drug delivery devices and techniques; barrier plastics for food and specialty packaging; monomer and solvent removal from formed polymers; and physical aging of glassy polymeric materials and membranes.

Educational Qualifications

Department of Chemical Engineering, NC State University (1989-2002)
NATO Postdoctoral Fellow, Ecole Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris, Laboratoire Physico-Chimie Structurale et Macromoléculaire, Paris, France (1988-1989)
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1988)
B.S., Chemical Engineering, NC State University (1983)

Select Awards & Honors

• Braskem Award for Excellence in Materials Engineering and Science (2023)
• National Academy of Engineering fellow (2023)
• Billy & Claude R. Hocott Distinguished Centennial Engineering Research Award – The University of Texas at Austin (2023-2024)
• North American Membrane Society fellow (2017)
• Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Disruptive Separations – Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (2016-2017)
• Distinguished Service Award – Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Division of ACS (2015)
• Clarence (Larry) G. Gerhold Award – AIChE (2013)
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Society of Plastics Engineers (2013)
• Award for Excellence in Industrial Gases Technology – AIChE (2008)
• Faculty Award – IBM (2008)

Related Websites

• Membrane Research Lab
• Center for Materials For Water and Energy Systems (MWET), Director
• Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials: an NSF MRSEC
• Texas Materials Institute

Select Publications