Theodore Davidson, Ph.D. Senior Development Engineer & Editor, Advances in Polymer Technology Journal Polymer Processing Institute Suite 3901, GITC, NJIT 218 Central Avenue Newark, NJ 07102 Tel: (973) 642 4582 Fax: (973) 642 4594 Email: tdavidson@polymers-ppi.org

Theodore Davidson's career has included both academic and industrial research in materials science and engineering. Following a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Cornell University and a tour in the U.S. Army, Ted did his doctoral work in physical chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His thesis, on extended-chain crystallization of polyethylene, launched a career in materials. His initial position was an appointment at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science.

In 1973, Dr. Davidson joined the research laboratories of the Xerox Corporation in Rochester, New York. He expanded his work on polymer microstructure and physical properties and made inventions important to novel imaging technologies. He was instrumental in developing a new high yielding process for manufacturing organic photoreceptors. Ted received the Xerox Special Merit Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement in 1982. While at Xerox he began research with colleagues from England on surface science and interfaces utilizing X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).

Following ten productive years at Xerox, Ted became Manager of an analytical chemistry and materials characterization group at Johnson & Johnson. There he developed methods for biomaterials characterization and new process technology for medical devices involving Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Professor Davidson's research at the University of Connecticut, beginning in 1988, combined several previous interests involving plasma techniques, XPS, and surface science to modify the interphase in composite materials. This work led to a fundamental test of theories for interfacial bonding; and–in practical terms–to composites with improved adhesion, load transfer, and durability. In other work, researching organic thin films, he discovered unique features in the core and valence level photoelectron spectra of aromatic fluoropolymers.

Dr. Davidson has been active as a consultant to high technology companies and has testified as an expert witness. His expertise includes process and materials development, adhesion, coatings, and medical devices.

In January 1992, he joined the Polymer Processing Institute as part of a major initiative in concurrent engineering. Supervising a staff of polymer scientists and engineers, he developed methods for processing and characterizing thermoplastic composites reinforced with long fibers. By injection molding, these materials are used to produce near-net shape parts; a shorter development cycle; and markedly improved manufacturing economics for composites. His current activities for PPI include materials characterization, medical device development, and industrial liaison.

Dr. Davidson is active in several major technical societies. In the Materials Research Society, he served on the Publications Committee and was elected to the governing Council of MRS. His activity in the American Chemical Society led to his election as Chairman of the Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering in 1989. He is currently a member of its Executive Committee. Dr. Davidson has been invited to serve on review panels of the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C. He has been General Secretary of the ACS Materials Chemistry Secretariat and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Materials Education. In 2001 he took up additional duties as the Editor of Advances in Polymer Technology, the Journal of the Polymer Processing Institute.

Selected Publications by Theodore Davidson

BOOKS:

"Polymers in Electronics" Theodore Davidson, Editor. American Chemical Society, Symposium Series, No. 242, Washington, D.C., 1984.

"Fluoropolymers: Synthesis and Structure," G. Hougham, P. Cassidy, K. Johns, and

T. Davidson, Editors, Kluwer Academic-Plenum Publishers, New York, 1999.

RESEARCH PAPERS AND CHAPTERS:

"A Perspective on Solid State Microstructure in Polytetrafluoroethylene," T. Davidson, R. N. Gounder, D.K. Weber, and S. M. Wecker, in "Fluoropolymers: Synthesis and Structure," Volume 2, pgs. 3-23 (1999)

"Flow Response and Microstructure of Polymers Reinforced with Discontinuous Fibers," T. Davidson, T.A. Huang, J.P. Brizzolara, D.H. Sebastian, Materials Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 289, 231 (1993)

"Effects of Glass and Carbon Fibers on the Crystallization of Nylon 6,6," K. Siangchaew, T. Davidson, and M. Libera, Materials Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 321, 651 (1994)

"Plasma Modifications to the Interface in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Matrices," P. Bourgeois and T. Davidson, Journal of Adhesion, 45, 73 (1994)

"Synthetic Polymers at the Living Tissue Interface," T. Davidson, chapter in "Interfacial Phenomena in the New and Emerging Technologies," W.B. Krantz, D.T. Wasan, P.V. Nerad, editors, Boulder, Colo., (1987).