Frank S. Bates is a distinguished leader in polymer science and engineering whose career has profoundly shaped modern materials research. He currently serves as a Regents Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, a position he attained in 2007 following his appointment as Distinguished McKnight University Professor in 1996. Born in New York City on April 10, 1954, Bates earned his B.S. in Mathematics from SUNY Albany in 1976 before completing his S.M. and Sc.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering at MIT in 1979 and 1982, respectively. After seven formative years as a member of the technical staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories, he joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 1989 and subsequently served as department head from 1999 to 2014, significantly elevating the department's national prominence.
Professor Bates has revolutionized the field of polymer physical science through his groundbreaking work on the thermodynamics and dynamics of block copolymers, polymer solutions, and blends. His innovative research integrating precise synthetic polymerization methods with advanced physical characterization techniques, particularly neutron and x-ray scattering and rheological measurements, has established fundamental principles governing polymer behavior at molecular and macroscopic levels. His seminal contributions to understanding amphiphilic block polymers that self-assemble into micelles and vesicles have enabled transformative applications in drug delivery systems and cellular membrane modification, bridging fundamental science with practical biomedical solutions. Bates has further distinguished himself through pioneering efforts to develop sustainable plastics and elastomers using biologically sourced monomers and novel recycling approaches, addressing critical environmental challenges in materials science.
As an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and National Academy of Inventors, Bates has shaped the global trajectory of materials research through both scientific leadership and institutional influence. His current research portfolio includes significant projects such as 'Hydrogenolysis of polyolefins' and 'CAS-SC: Threading the Needle: Recycling Commodity Plastics,' which directly address pressing sustainability challenges in polymer science. Professor Bates continues to advance the field through investigations into polymer blend melt blowing resins for nanofibers and development of novel polymers from ACP monomers, demonstrating his enduring commitment to translating fundamental discoveries into practical applications. His legacy encompasses not only transformative scientific contributions but also the cultivation of sustainable materials solutions that will benefit generations to come.
