Philadelphia, PA - May 24, 2012
The American Coatings Association (ACA) and coatings conference organizer Vincentz Network (VN) presented Dow’s research team with the 2012 American Coatings Award. Dow Coating Materials’ Dr. Antony van Dyk, global research & development leader for Dispersants and project leader for Rheology Modifiers, and Dr. Alan Nakatani, Dow senior research scientist in the Core Research & Development Analytical Sciences Rheology Group were awarded for their technical paper, “Shear Rate Dependent Structure of Polymer Stabilized TiO₂ Dispersions,” on May 7, 2012 at the American Coatings Show and Conference in Indianapolis, IN.
Dr. van Dyk and Dr. Nakatani were awarded for their documentation of a series of studies on titanium dioxide (TiO₂)’s response to forces that occur when paint is stirred or applied to a surface with a brush, roller or sprayer. Working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the team tracked how molecular weight and hydrophobicity of various polymeric dispersants affect TiO2 dispersion in paints. Using an advanced technique called Rheo Ultra Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, or Rheo-USANS, the Dow team was able to pinpoint conditions under which aggregates of small TiO₂ particles break apart or cluster together in liquid paint. As a result, Dr. van Dyk and Dr. Nakatani were able to identify polymers that work best in keeping TiO2 particles well dispersed.
“Dow experts are top tier in constantly delivering outstanding insights and innovations that offer more and better industry solutions,” says Rodolfo Bayona- Plata, technical and sales service director for Dow Coating Materials North America. “As global demand for TiO2 continues and supply remains limited, our research provides a better handle on how to use this pigment efficiently without compromising performance or increasing process complexity. I join my colleagues in congratulating all nine of Dow’s technical presenters, including Antony and Alan, on their well-deserved achievement.”
“We would like to thank the American Coatings Association and the Vincentz Network for this honor and for supporting the value of our research,” said van Dyk. “We believe our work will prove very useful in helping the industry better understand the critical elements of dispersant selection and titanium dioxide distribution in paint.”
Each year, the ACA and VN present the American Coatings Award to the most outstanding technical presentation at the conference. In addition to the award-winning paper, seven other Dow experts delivered technical presentations at ACS, including:
- Ways to Reduce Dependence on TiO2 without Sacrificing Key Performance Properties
By Dr. David Fasano, Research Scientist, Dow Coating Materials (DCM) - Novel WB Epoxies and Curing Agents for Protective Coatings
By Tim Miller, Industrial Technical Service Manager, DCM - Low-VOC SB Epoxy for Corrosion Resistant Primers with Improved Flexibility
By Daniel Haile, Senior Scientist, DCM - New 2k Epoxy Hybrid Dispersion Technology for Durable Floor & Wall Coatings
By Thomas Tepe, Group Leader, Architectural Coatings Technical Service, DCM - Development of Novel Self-Crosslinking Resins for Waterborne Wood Finishes
By Laura Veilhauer, Senior Technical Service Scientist, DCM - Development of New Low-Emission Epoxy Curing Agents for Ambient Cure Applications
By Rajesh Turakhia, Lead Development Specialist, Dow Epoxy
Jose Maria Bermudez, general manager for Dow Coating Materials North America, said, “Our presentations at ACS this year clearly demonstrate the commitment and high level of expertise Dow brings to our industry. Customers and the coatings industry as a whole are looking for greater durability, more sustainability and more integrated solutions. Dow has the technical superiority, historical data, knowledge and broad portfolio to support those needs.”
For more information on Dow at the American Coatings Show, visit www.dow.com/ACS
To read Dr. van Dyk and Dr. Nakatani’s award-winning technical paper, and other Dow presentations delivered at ACS, please visit www.dow.com/coating/acs/schedule.html
About Dow Coating Materials
Dow Coating Materials is the most innovative coatings raw material supplier in the world; driving fundamental shifts in the coatings industry and moving the market as the experts’ expert in coatings solutions. Through its mission of collaboration, inspiration, innovation and growth, the business provides material products, science, technology, and manufacturing solutions to the architectural and industrial coatings industry worldwide. Dow Coating Materials operates 43 manufacturing plants worldwide and 13 dedicated R&D facilities across all major geographic markets where Dow does business. For more information please visit http://www.dow.com/coating.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
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The Dow Chemical Company
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