An Iowa State professor was honored recently for his work in thermoplastic materials.

Joshua Otaigbe, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, won the Best Paper Award after presenting a paper to the International Society of Plastics Engineers.

Otaigbe presented the paper, “Gas Atomization of Polymers,” last spring at the society’s annual technology conference.

The society notified Otaigbe in May that he won the award in the thermoplastic materials and foams division.

“The research that led to the best paper took about two and a half years,” Otaigbe said. “Further refinements of the technology are continuing.”

Jon McAvoy, Otaigbe’s former graduate assistant, co-authored the paper.

Otaigbe said the paper describes a new technology for making powders directly from plastic melt.

The new technology avoids the problems that occur when conventional methods, such as grinding, are used to mass produce the powders.

The powders are used in spray coatings and as raw materials for low-cost thermoplastic composites.

“Many kinds of companies, such as manufacturers of polymers, adhesive, electronics, composites and automotive products, are interested in further developing the technology,” Otaigbe said.

“Specific companies that have contacted us directly include Dupont Dow Elastomers, Hoechst-Celanese, Millenium Petrochemicals, Huntsman Chemicals, Ford, Philips Petroleum and EMS-Americal Grilon Inc.,” he said.

Otaigbe also expressed his gratitude to the ISU Center for Advanced Technology Development and the Vice Provost Office, which provided financial support for the work.

The project also benefited from prior work of Iver Anderson on gas atomization of metals.

The award presentation ceremony was held Sept. 12 in Spedding Hall.