Grants per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
Professor Torkelson’s group research motivation is driven by two main desires: (1) to understand at a fundamental level how molecular-scale behavior of polymers relates to macroscale properties; and (2) and to engineer and optimize those polymer properties by tuning molecular-scale responses via dynamic chemistry, nanoscale confinement, chain architecture, and novel solid-state processing, among other methods. For example, the group has recently developed three simple dynamic chemistry approaches that allow for spent thermosets or crosslinked polymers to be recycled by melt-state processing into new crosslinked polymer products with full recovery of crosslink density and associated properties.
They are also developing a deeper understanding of how nanoscale confinement of polymers in thin films or in nanocomposites can lead to major changes in properties, including glass transition temperature (which can change by 50 degrees C or more), physical aging, stiffness or modulus, and diffusion, among others. In support of our research efforts, we have developed simple non-destructive characterization tools that allow us to characterize the gradient in behavior from a free surface or substrate/nanofiller. They are also doing fundamental research to understand how polymer architecture (e.g., cyclic or ring polymers, stars, hyperbranched polymers, brushes, bottlebrushes, etc.) and copolymer structure can modify the bulk and nanoconfined behaviors of polymers. In turn, we are using that understanding to engineer materials for improved performance. Finally, they are also pursuing novel, industrially scalable solid-state processing approaches to design and produce modified polymers, polymer blends, composites, and nanocomposites that cannot be produced by conventional melt-state processing. Their process is the solid-state analog of twin-screw extrusion and allows for much greater work to be done on the polymeric materials during processing. As a result, their solid-state process achieves dispersion levels as well as chemistries that are not attainable with melt-state processing methods.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Chemical Engineering, PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
… → 1983
Chemical Engineering, BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
… → 1978
Research interests keywords
- Nanoscience and nanotechnology
- Polymer science and engineering
- Sustainability
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Grants
- 107 Finished
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ResIn: Responsible Innovation for Highly Recyclable Plastics
Broadbelt, L. J. (PD/PI), Dunn, J. B. (Co-PD/PI) & Torkelson, J. M. (Co-PD/PI)
10/1/19 → 3/31/24
Project: Research project
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Direct Measurement of the Role of Confinement and Chemistry on Local Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polymers
Brinson, L. C. (PD/PI), Putz, K. W. (Co-PD/PI) & Torkelson, J. M. (Co-PD/PI)
9/1/12 → 8/31/16
Project: Research project
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Torkelson subproject, Material Computational Framework and Enhancement for Tire Property Design
Torkelson, J. M. (PD/PI)
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
1/1/11 → 12/31/12
Project: Research project
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MRSEC: Multifunctional Nanoscale Material Structures
Marks, T. J. (PD/PI), Olvera de la Cruz, M. (Co-PD/PI), Torkelson, J. M. (Co-PD/PI), Olvera de la Cruz, M. (Other) & Torkelson, J. M. (Other)
10/1/05 → 7/31/12
Project: Research project
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MRSEC: Multifunctional Nanoscale Material Structures
Seideman, T. (PD/PI), Olvera de la Cruz, M. (Co-PD/PI) & Torkelson, J. M. (Co-PD/PI)
10/1/05 → 7/31/12
Project: Research project
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Catalyst-Free Polyhydroxyurethane Covalent Adaptable Networks Exhibiting Full Cross-Link Density Recovery after Reprocessing: Facilitation by Synthesis with Well-Designed Secondary Amines
Huang, Y. W. & Torkelson, J. M., May 27 2025, In: Macromolecules. 58, 10, p. 5356-5367 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Covalent Adaptable Networks with Associative Siloxane Exchange Enabled by Amide-Based Internal Catalysis: Designing for Reprocessability and Extrudability by Increasing the Cross-Link Density
Purwanto, N. S., Wang, T., Liu, X., Rekoske, L. B., Debsharma, T. & Torkelson, J. M., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Advanced Functional Materials.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Millimetre-scale bioresorbable optoelectronic systems for electrotherapy
Zhang, Y., Rytkin, E., Zeng, L., Kim, J. U., Tang, L., Zhang, H., Mikhailov, A., Zhao, K., Wang, Y., Ding, L., Lu, X., Lantsova, A., Aprea, E., Jiang, G., Li, S., Seo, S. G., Wang, T., Wang, J., Liu, J. & Gu, J. & 28 others, , Apr 3 2025, In: Nature. 640, 8057, p. 77-86 10 p., 1821.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Scopus citations -
Polypropylene Covalent Adaptable Networks with Full Cross-Link Density Recovery after Reprocessing: Development by Free-Radical Reactive Processing with Resonance-Stabilized, Aromatic Disulfide Cross-Linkers
Huang, Y. W., Suazo, M. J., Barbon, S. M., Brown, H. A., Auyeung, E., Li Pi Shan, C. & Torkelson, J. M., Mar 18 2025, In: ACS Macro Letters. 14, 3, p. 341-348 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Scopus citations -
Reprocessable Polypropylene Covalent Adaptable Networks via Free-Radical Reactive Processing with Vinyl Aromatic Additives
Huang, Y. W., Suazo, M. J. & Torkelson, J. M., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Macromolecules.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Datasets
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CCDC 2332023: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Debsharma, T. (Contributor), Purwanto, N. S. (Contributor), Fenimore, L. M. (Contributor), Mitchell, S. (Contributor), Kennedy, J. (Contributor) & Torkelson, J. M. (Contributor), Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 2024
DOI: 10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc2j8nk1, http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc2j8nk1&sid=DataCite
Dataset
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CCDC 2332024: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Debsharma, T. (Contributor), Purwanto, N. S. (Contributor), Fenimore, L. M. (Contributor), Mitchell, S. (Contributor), Kennedy, J. (Contributor) & Torkelson, J. M. (Contributor), Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 2024
DOI: 10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc2j8nl2, http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc2j8nl2&sid=DataCite
Dataset
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CCDC 2346357: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Debsharma, T. (Contributor), Purwanto, N. S. (Contributor), Fenimore, L. M. (Contributor), Mitchell, S. (Contributor), Kennedy, J. (Contributor) & Torkelson, J. M. (Contributor), Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 2024
DOI: 10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc2jrkyt, http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc2jrkyt&sid=DataCite
Dataset
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CCDC 2346358: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Debsharma, T. (Contributor), Purwanto, N. S. (Contributor), Fenimore, L. M. (Contributor), Mitchell, S. (Contributor), Kennedy, J. (Contributor) & Torkelson, J. M. (Contributor), Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 2024
DOI: 10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc2jrkzv, http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/services/structure_request?id=doi:10.5517/ccdc.csd.cc2jrkzv&sid=DataCite
Dataset