Eric J. Beckman, Ph.D.

Dr. Beckman in the Mosier Learning Center
Dr. Beckman is currently a professor in the University of Pittsburgh Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. Prior to his arrival in 1989, he received his Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1988 and held a postdoctoral research appointment at Battelle's Pacific Northwest Laboratory. He also previously held industrial positions at Monsanto Plastics and Resins as well as in Union Carbide's Silicones and Urethanes Intermediates Division.

Dr. Beckman is actively involved in research at the University as his interests encompasses two major areas. Primarily, he focuses his efforts on the use of carbon dioxide as either a solvent or raw material, and polymer chemistry and processing. The works of Dr. Beckman and his research personnel have been featured in several publications and most recently, Dr. Beckman was recognized as the recipient of the 2002 Academic Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for his efforts in the development of Non Fluorous, high Carbon Dioxide-Soluble Matreials. Although this may be one of Dr. Beckman's primary interest areas, his research has also incorporated the following:

  • Emulsion and dispersion polymerization on CO2
  • Copolymerization of CO2 and cyclic ethers to form polycarbonates
  • Generation of hydrogen peroxide in CO2
  • Extraction of heavy metals using CO2 technology
  • Enzymatic polymerization (with A.J. Russell)
  • Design of polymers for use in medical applications (with W.R. Wagner, A.J. Russell).
  • Design of photoreversible polymeric hydrogels (with A.J. Russell)

Currently, Dr. Beckman is involved in several projects stemming from his aforementioned areas of interest. The projects currently underway deal with topics such as the utilization of CO2 as a solvent and the generation of biodegradable polyurethane foams for utilization within bone tissue engineering scaffolds. For more information on any one of the projects Dr. Beckman is currently involved in, please select one of the following:

CONTACT INFORMATION

Eric J. Beckman, Ph.D.
Phone: (412) 624-9630
Email: Beckman@engr.pitt.edu