Yongshang Lu, Ph. D.
Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA50011
Tel: 631-***-**** E-mail: abnmq5@r.postjobfree.com; abnmq5@r.postjobfree.com
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a research and development position in an industrial setting that calls for experience in
polymer synthesis, formulation and characterization, latex coatings and pressure-sensitive adhesives
VISA STATUS: U. S. Permanent Resident
EDUCATION
09/2003 Ph.D., Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
07/1998 B. S., Chemistry, Ludong University, Yantai, China
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
05/2005 – Present, Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, with
Professor Richard C. Larock
Project: Vegetable oil-based waterborne polyurethane dispersions and their hybrid latexes with
acrylics for coating and pressure sensitive adhesive applications
Key accomplishments:
- Initiated, designed and developed novel vegetable oil-based waterborne polyurethane (VPU)
dispersions and VPU/acrylics hybrid latexes exhibiting comparable or even better
performance than commercial available petroleum-based analogues
- Successfully scaled-up (kilogram) and optimized the polymerization reaction
- Developed and formulated vegetable oil-based latex pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs)
working with global-leading PSA Corp.
- Formulated vegetable oil-based high performance latex architecture coatings for a global
leading coating Corp.
- Published 4 peer-reviewed papers and generated 2 patents
Project: Vegetable oil-based biocomposites/nanocomposites by cationic polymerization
Key accomplishments:
- Designed and fabricated high-strength/corrosion-resistant soybean oil-based biocomposites/
nanocomposites reinforced with glass fibers/clay through compression molding process
- Decreased the cure time of the resins significantly from 50 hours to 2 minutes without any
loss of performance properties
- Developed the most viable resin composition for pultrusion application
- Collaborated with leading window and door manufacturing Corp. to develop the vegetable
oil-based window frames using pultrusion process
- Published 5 peer-reviewed papers and generated 1 patents
01/2004 – 01/2005, Postdoctoral Research Associate, College of Packaging Engineering, URCA, France,
with Professor Lan Tighzert
Project: Processing and development of sustainable bioplastics for packaging applications
Key accomplishments:
- Developed high performance waterborne polyurethane plastics from castor and rapeseed oils
- Fabricated the VPU modified starch bioplastics through twin extruder
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- Developed biodegradable VPU-modified starch packaging and containers
- Published 2 peer-reviewed papers
09/1998 – 09/2003, Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, China, with
Professor Lina Zhang
Project: IPN materials based on castor oil-based polyurethane (CPU) and natural polymers
Key accomplishments:
- Initiated and synthesized the bio-based IPN materials having excellent mechanical
performance based on CPU and benzyl konjac glucomannan (B-KGM)
- Strategically applied the CPU/B-KGM IPN as coatings for water-resistant cellulose films
regenerated from NaOH/urea aqueous solutions
- Collaborated with a leading Chemical Fiber Corp. to complete the commercialization of the
water-resistant cellulose packaging films
- Published 5 peer reviewed papers and 2 patents
Project: Bio-based thermoplastics reinforced with cellulose/chitin whiskers
Key accomplishments:
- Successfully prepared nano-sized whiskers from cellulose and chitin by hydrolysis
- Developed whisker-reinforced bio-based thermoplastics with high thermal and mechanical
properties
- Published 3 peer reviewed papers
RESEARCH EXPERTISE
Demonstrated experience in research and development of polymer resins (polyurethane, polyesters,
acrylics, epoxy and alkyds) for latex coating and adhesive applications.
Experienced in formulating latex coatings and pressure-sensitive adhesives based on urethane, acrylic and
epoxy.
Specialized in emulsion polymerization, free radical polymerization, cationic polymerization and
step-growth polymerization.
Strong background in processing and development of plastics, composites and nanocomposites.
Proven success in moving products from idea, through synthesis, trials and plant scale-up.
Well versed in polymer characterization techniques, including thermal analysis (DSC, DMA, TGA, TMA
and Rheometer), spectroscopy (NMR, FTIR, Raman and UV-vis), mechanical characterizations (Tensile
Test, Impact Test, Fatigue and Creep), GPC, SEM and TEM.
HONORS AND AWARDS
2004 Second Grade Nomination Award of Natural Science, Ministry of Education, China
2003 Excellent Doctoral Graduate, Wuhan University, China
2002 Luojia Star Prize, Excellent Doctoral Student, Shuangdeng Scholarship, Wuhan University, China
2001 Excellent Doctoral Student, Wandai Scholarship, Wuhan University, China
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND ACTIVITIES
Full Member, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Full Member, American Chemical Society
Invited Reviewer for 16 peer-review scientific journals
LIST OF SELECTED PUBLICATIONS, BOOK CHAPTERS AND REVIEW
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28 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Synthesis and properties of grafted latexes from a soybean oil-based waterborne
polyurethane and acrylics. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2009, DOI 10.1002/app.29029.
27 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Novel polymeric materials from vegetable oils and vinyl monomers: preparation,
properties, and applications, ChemSusChem 2009, 2, 136-147. (“Most accessed articles” in
ChemSusChem during 06/2008-08/2009)
26 Lu, Y. Bio-based polymers and composites based on vegetable oils and fats. In: Huang, J. Ed. Chemical
Engineering and Materials Based on Biomass. Chemical Industrial Press, Beijing, 2009, pp 545-567.
(Book Chapter)
25 Badrinarayanan, P.; Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C.; Kessler M. R. Cure kinetics of soybean oil-styrene-
divinylbenzene thermosetting copolymers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2009, 113, 1042-1049.
24 Andjelkovic, D. D.; Lu, Y.; Kessler, M. R.; Larock, R. C. Novel rubbers from the cationic
copolymerization of soybean oils and dicyclopentadiene, 2 - mechanical and damping properties.
Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2009, 294, 472-483.
23 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Soybean oil-based waterborne polyurethane dispersions: effects of polyol
functionality and hard segment content on properties. Biomacromolecules 2008, 9, 3332-3340.
22 Lu, Y.; Tighzert, L. Novel plastics and foams from starch and polyurethanes. In: Yu, L. Editor.
Biodegradable Polymer Blends and Composites from Renewable Resources. John Wiley & Sons, New
York: 2008, pp87-106. (Book Chapter)
21 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. New hybrid latexes from soybean oil-based waterborne polyurethane and acrylics
via emulsion polymerization. Biomacromolecules 2007, 8, 3108-3114.
20 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Fabrication, morphology and properties of soybean oil-based composites
reinforced with continuous glass fibers. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2007, 292,
1085-1094. (“Most Accessed Articles” in Macromol. Mater. Eng. in 09/2007)
19 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Bio-based nanocomposites from corn oil and functionalized organoclay prepared
by cationic polymerization. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2007, 292, 863-872. (“Most
Accessed Articles” in Macromol. Mater. Eng. in 07/2007)
18 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Novel biobased nanocomposites from soybean oil and functionalized organoclay.
Biomacromolecules 2006, 7, 2692-2700.
17 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Corn oil based composites reinforced with continuous glass fibers: fabrication and
properties. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2006, 102, 3345-3353.
16 Lu, Y.; Weng, L.; Cao, X. Morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of ramie crystallites-
reinforced plasticized starch biocomposites. Carbohydrate Polymer 2006, 63, 198-204.
15 Lu, Y.; Tighzert, L.; Dole, P.; Erre, D. Preparation and properties of starch thermoplastics modified with
waterborne polyurethane from renewable resources. Polymer 2005, 46, 9863-9870.
14 Lu, Y.; Weng, L.; Cao, X. Biocomposites of plasticized starch reinforced with cellulose crystallites from
cottonseed linter. Macromolecular Bioscience 2005, 5, 1101-1107.
13 Lu, Y.; Tighzert, L.; Berzin, F.; Rondot, S. Innovative plasticized starch films modified with waterborne
polyurethane from renewable resources. Carbohydrate Polymer 2005, 61, 174-182. “TOP 25 Hottest
Articles” in Carbohydr. Polym. from 07/2005 to 09/2005
12 Lu, Y.; Weng, L.; Zhang, L. Morphology and properties of soy protein isolate thermoplastics reinforced
with chitin whiskers. Biomacromolecule, 2004, 5, 1046-1051.
11 Lu, Y.; Zhang, L.; Xiao, P. Structure, properties and biodegradability of water resistant regenerated
cellulose films coated with polyurethane/benzyl konjac glucomannan semi-IPN coating. Polymer
Degradation and Stability, 2004, 86, 51-57.
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10 Weng, L.; Lu, Y.; Shi, L.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, X.; Xu, J. In situ investigation of drug diffusion in
hydrogels by refractive index method. Analytical Chemistry 2004, 76, 2807-2812.
9 Lu, Y.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, X.; Zhou, Y. Effects of secondary structure on miscibility and properties of
semi-IPN from polyurethane and benzyl konjac glucomannan. Polymer 2003, 44, 6689-6696.
8 Lu, Y.; Zhang, L. Effects of NCO/OH molar ratio on miscibility and properties of semi- interpenetrating
polymer networks from polyurethane and benzyl konjac glucomannan. Journal of Applied Polymer
Science 2003, 88, 1304-1310.
7 Lu, Y.; Zhang, L. Interfacial structure and properties of regenerated cellulose films coated with
superthin polyurethane/benzoyl konjac glucomannan coating. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry
Research 2002, 41,1234 -1241.
6 Lu, Y.; Zhang, L. Morphology and mechanical properties of the semi-interpenetrating polymer networks
from polyurethane and benzyl konjac glucomannan. Polymer 2002, 43, 3979-3986.
5 Xiao, C.; Lu, Y.; Zhang, L. Study on physical properties of blend films from gelatin and polyacrylamide
solutions. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2002, 83, 949-956.
4 Xiao, C.; Lu, Y.; Zhang, L. Characterization of konjac glucomannan-gelatin blend films. Journal of
Applied Polymer Science 2001, 79, 1596-1602.
3 Xiao, C.; Lu, Y.; Liu, H .J.; Zhang, L. Preparation and characterization of konjac glucomannan and
sodium carboxymethylcellulose blend films. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2001, 80, 26-31.
2 Xiao, C.; Lu, Y.; Zhang, L. Preparation and physical properties of konjac glucomannan-polyacrylamide
blend films. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2001, 81, 882-888.
1 Xiao, C.; Lu, Y.; Zhang, L. Preparation and physical properties of blend films from sodium alginate and
polyacrylamide solutions. Journal of Macromolecular Science – Part A 2001, 37,1663-1675.
MANUSCRIPTS IN PREPARATION OR SUBMITTED
4 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Novel vegetable oil-based cationic waterborne polyurethane dispersions: synthesis
and properties. Progress in Organic Coatings 2009, manuscript in preparation.
3 Xia, Y.; Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornenyl-
functionalized fatty alcohols. Biomacromolecules 2009, submitted.
2 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Soap free shell-core latexes from soybean oil-based waterborne polyurethanes and
poly (styrene-butyl acrylate). Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2009, manuscript in preparation.
1 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Soybean oil-based waterborne polyurethane and poly (urethane-urea) dispersions:
effect of hard segment structure on properties. Progress in Organic Coatings 2009, manuscript in
preparation
PATENTS
3 Larock, R. C.; Lu, Y. Novel anionic polyurethane dispersions derived from vegetable oils, Patent
Disclosure ISURF - # 03681, 2009.
2 Lu, Y.; Larock, R. C. Novel hybrid latexes from vegetable oil-based waterborne polyurethanes and
acrylic via emulsion polymerization. US Patent Disclosure, 2007.
1 Zhang, L.; Lu, Y. Castor oil-type polyurethane and benzyl konjac glucomannan semi-interpenetrating
polymer network and its preparation process and application. Chinese Patent ZL02115497.X . 2002.
REFERENCES:
Available Upon Request
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