SEAM 1997

 

Hans Kuhn Receives the SEAM Award '97

Hans H. Kuhn is this year's recipient of the SEAM award for achievement in the field of lectrically conducting polymers.

A native of Switzerland, Kuhn received his MS in chemical engineering in 1949 and PhD in organic chemistry in 1953 from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology under the direction of the Nobel Laureate Professor Leopold Ruzicka. At the same institute, he conducted post-doctoral research in the field of synthesis and reactions with styrene oxide until 1957 when he immigrated to the U.S. He joined the research department of the Dewey and Almy Chemical Co. in Cambridge, Mass., a division of W.R. Grace. In 1960, Kuhn joined the Milliken Research Corp. in Spartanburg, S.C. He held several positions with the company and was promoted in 1995 to Milliken Research Fellow.

Professional Activities

Kuhn is the inventor of a new class of polymeric dyes based on polyethoxylated aromatic amines. Later work involed the adsorption of hydrophilic polymers to the surface of fibers, particularly polyester, resulting in a change of the surface characteristics of polyester fabrics from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Most recently he worked on the adsorption of conducting polymers to the surface of textiles resulting in electrically conductive textiles. He holds about 100 U.S. and foreign patents.

Kuhn has authored and coauthored several books and articles which have appeared in such publications as Chmia, Kunststoffe-Plastics, Melliand Textilberichte, Textile Research Journal, and Americn Dyestuff Reporter. He has also been a speaker at many conferences and symposia.

Honors and Awards

From 1970-1995, Kuhn served as Honorary Consul of Switzerland for the cities of Spartanburg, Greenville, and Columbia, S.C.; and Charlotte and Asheville, N.C. He has also been honored as Palmetto Gentleman by Governor John C. West in 1973 and Knight of the Queen City of Charlotte by John M. Belk, Mayor, in 1977. He also received the Olney Medal in 1998.

 


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