Thomas J. McCarthy

Degree Information:
B.S. Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst,1978
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1982

Mailing Address:
Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
Room A512, Conte Research Center
University of Massachusetts Amherst
120 Governors Drive
Amherst, MA 01003

Phone: 413-577-1512

Email: tmccarthy@polysci.umass.edu

Fax: 413-577-1510

Research Interests:
Nanoscopic polymer objects; Fundamental wettability studies using surfaces of defined chemistry, topography and pattern; Ultrahydrophobic and ultrahydrophilic surfaces; Non-fouling surfaces; Chemistry in supercritical fluid – swollen polymers; Polymer adsorption; Covalently attached monolayers; Polymer and inorganic surface modification; Surface acoustic wave sensor design; Green conformal coatings technologies, chemical/topographic lithography, wound dressings.

Current Research:
We have current research programs in each of the areas mentioned under “Research Interests”. The SEM micro-graphs in the figure show polystyrene “pencils” of ~200 nm x ~1.6 ƒÝm that have been functionalized at one end with sulfonic acid groups. They self assemble as particulate surfactants at interfaces or as a smectic phase on hydrophobic surfaces. (the scale bar is 1 ƒÝm). These pencils are prepared using an anodized aluminum membrane as a template. The length and diameter can be controlled independently. A significant effort involves the preparation of conformal coatings on a variety of substrates using aqueous solutions or vapor phase condensation / polymerization. Control of film thickness, multilayer assembly of different components and subsequent chemical modification are important objectives. For example, the thickness of poly(vinyl alcohol) films can be controlled with nanometer resolution by adsorption/crystallization from aqueous solutions. The film is reactive toward acid chlorides in the vapor phase and ester functionality is introduced. The identity of the acid chloride determines the film thickness change. This modification chemistry is being extended to chemical/topographic lithography.

Honors and Distinctions:

University of Massachusetts Faculty Fellowship 2000
Arthur K. Doolittle Award 1996
NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award 1986-1991
Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award 1985-1987
3M Young Faculty Award 1982-1985
IBM Faculty Development Award 1983, 1984
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow 1978-1981
Co-Director, UMASS Institute for Interface Science
Co-Principal Investigator UMASS CUMIRP
Editorial Advisory Board, Heteroatom Chemistry
Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Editorial Advisory Board, Macromolecules
International Advisory Board, ACS Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces Series
Phi Beta Kappa