Low Energy Radiation Curing Program Offered at SUNY

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Photo (L-R):  Robert M. Simpson, President & Chief Executive Officer, CenterState CEO; Dr. Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr., President, SUNY-ESF; NYS Governor Andrew M. Cuomo; and Dan Montoney, Chief Technology Officer, Rapid Cure Technologies, tour the SUNY-ESF Institute for Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing’s UV/EB Center. 

By Dr. Charles M. Spuches, Associate Provost for Outreach SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), along with RadTech International North America, and other collaborators has launched a new program in radiation or energy curing, the Radiation Curing Program (RCP). Supported in part by a U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant, the program is comprised of three online courses and an Advanced Certificate.

RCP prepares upper-level undergraduate and graduate students (along with practicing professionals) in the science and technology of energy curing such as ultraviolet (UV) or electron beam (EB) processing.

UV and EB curing refers to a special way in which coatings, inks, adhesives, composites and other materials may be cured as an alternative to traditional energy-intensive methods that create harmful emissions. In short, these processes entail ultraviolet energy from a UV lamp and the focused electrons in EB to instantly cure/crosslink specially formulated chemistries, using less energy and at lower cost than conventional/incumbent methods.

Energy cured applications are part of your everyday experiences ranging from your morning cereal box, to your CD or DVD, magazine, credit card, cell phone, contact lenses, keyboard, driving your car, or just walking on your floor.  The advantages of UV & EB are well-documented--particularly when used with manufactured products that require fast processing and/or on substrates that are sensitive to heat. In addition, UV & EB are considered environmentally responsible since most or all of the solvents in traditional processes may be eliminated, thanks to the special capabilities of UV & EB curing.

The RCP program was developed by a team of academic and experienced energy-curing practitioners to reflect current and emerging industry-relevant content and applications. Students matriculated at other campuses may use these courses as professionally-oriented upper-level electives focused on a specialized interdisciplinary application of chemistry, physics and engineering. Students from other campuses may register on a visiting (non-matriculated) basis during the academic year or Summer Session. Participants may:

  • Pursue one or more “500” level courses on a non-credit or credit basis.
  • Apply and earn an Advanced Certificate in Radiation Curing by meeting application requirements and successfully completing all three courses for credit (participants may register and work on one or more courses at a time)

Spring 2014 Schedule

  • Introduction to Polymer Coatings /February 3, 2014 - April 18, 2014 / Online
  • Radiation Curing of Polymer Technologies / February 17, 2014 - May 2, 2014 / Online
  • Radiation Curing Equipment, Instrumentation and Safety / February 17 , 2014 - April 18, 2014 / Online

Complete information is available at www.esf.edu/outreach/radcuring or contact Dr. Charles M. Spuches, Associate Provost for Outreach SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

226 Gateway Center l One Forestry Drive l Syracuse, NY 13210

315.470.6810 (direct)  l  315.470.6817 (main)

cspuches@esf.edu (email)  l  www.esf.edu/outreach (web)

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