Dr. John G. Brace
Research Professor
Chemical Engineering and Polymer Institute

 

• Experience
  Dr. Brace joined the University in 2000 as Research Professor in the Polymer Institute.  He holds a Bachelors degree in Chemistry from Wheaton College (Ill.) and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University. Prior to joining the Polymer Institute, Dr. Brace spent 20 years in industrial research and development.  His experience is in the major areas of materials research (sensor materials, packaging polymers) and analytical studies (quantitative bulk and surface spectroscopies). 
  
  In industrial research, his project responsibilities have included a variety of topics: sensor design and materials (including surface-acoustic-wave oscillators); thin-film barrier analysis (by infrared, ellipsometry and elastic recoil detection); polymer property prediction (by molecular topology and by multivariate calibration); permeation and transport analysis of gases and vapors (by coulometry, gravimetry, infrared or gas chromatography); design and fabrication of high-barrier plastic containers (utilizing active barrier/oxygen scavenger, nanocomposites and/or multilayer injection molding); and food stability in plastics (by combined gas-barrier, sensory and instrumental evaluations).
  
  At the Polymer Institute, Dr. Brace is responsible for the area of  Transport and Surface Characterization.
  
  
• Research Interests
  1) Permeability of plastics
  2) Sorption/migration of gases and vapors
  3) Quantitative spectroscopy of polymers
  4) Food stability in plastics
  5) Sensors and measurement instrumentation
  
  

• Teaching Responsibilities

  Transport in Plastics (ChE 6830 / 8830) is taught during the spring semester every other year. It is offered to graduate level students.

• Education
  Postdoc - Electrochemistry & Liquid Physics - Université Paris
  Ph.D. - Analytical Chemistry - Purdue University
  A.B. - Chemistry - Wheaton College
  
  

• Contact Information

  phone # - (419) 530-5003
  fax # - (419) 530-5019
  e-mail - jbrace@utnet.utoledo.edu
  SEND e-mail now to John G. Brace at jbrace@utnet.utoledo.edu.

  mail address -

  University of Toledo
  Polymer Institute
  Attn: Dr. John G. Brace
  Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390

• Selected Publications/Presentations
  
  

Surface acoustic-wave device for measuring rate of gas flow, J. G. Brace, T. S. Sanfelippo and S. G. Joshi, Rev. Sci. Instrum., 62(1), 208, January 1991.

 

Surface acoustic wave gas flow rate sensor with self-heating feature, J. G. Brace and T. S. Sanfelippo, Canadian Patent 1,286,392, July 16, 1991.

 

Acoustic wave H2O phase-change sensor capable of self-cleaning and distinguishing air, water, dew, frost and ice, J. G. Brace and T. S. Sanfelippo, U. S. Patent 5,051,645, Sept. 24, 1991.

 

"Air-Quality Sensing:  A Neural Network Approach," presentation, J. G. Brace and T. S. Sanfelippo, ACS Great Lakes Regional Meeting, Milwaukee, June 1992.

 

"Simulation of Vibrational Spectra:  Plasma-Deposited Thin Films," presentation, 39th National AVS Symposium, Chicago, Nov. 1992.

 

"Spectroscopic Study of Composition / Property Correlations (in Thin Films)," seminar, Ecole Polytechnique, Montréal, March 1994.

 

Carbon content of silicon oxide films deposited by room temperature plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of hexamethyldisiloxane and oxygen, J. A. Theil, J. G. Brace and R. W. Knoll, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A, 12(4), 1365 (1994).

 

Rapid estimation of the oxygen permeation rate of a thin film on a plastic container, U. S. Patent 5,381,228, Jan. 10, 1995.

 

Apparatus and method for noninvasive assessment of pressurized container properties, U. S. Patent 5,614,718, March 25, 1997.

 

“Aseptic and Hot Fill beverage processing in rigid containers: a product quality study,” presentation, L. Mulholland and J. G. Brace, Nova-Pack Europe ‘98, Düsseldorf, Oct. 1998.

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