Dr. C. Michael Roland, of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), has been awarded the American Chemical Society Rubber Division's Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award for his outstanding contributions to rubber science and technology. Dr. Roland will be presented with his award during the division's 161st Spring Technical Meeting on April 29, 2002, in Savannah, Georgia.
This award is presented for significant, repeated innovative contributions to rubber science and technology. "Dr. Roland's innovative research led to the discovery of various phenomena, revealing new physics in polymers. Among his outstanding contributions to rubber technologies are rubber for acoustic applications, microgel polymers, double network rubbers, surface modification of elastomers, and microlithography on polymers."
Dr. Roland received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania, in 1974. In 1980, Dr. Roland received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University.
From 1980 through 1986 he worked at the Central Research Laboratories of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. In 1986, Dr. Roland joined NRL's Chemistry Division, where he is the head of the Polymer Physics Section.
Dr. Roland has authored over 175 refereed publications and book chapters, and holds 11 U.S. Patents.