From my lab to your studio!
Pojman Polymer Products LLC is the brainchild of Dr. John Pojman, a chemist and professor based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Outside of his research, John is known for his seersucker suits, pocket protectors, world-class fishing abilities, and love of the three-toed amphiuma.
The Research
Pojman's research focuses on nonlinear phenomena in polymers, including frontal polymerization—a self-propagating reaction process he pioneered for rapid material curing. This work led to developing products such as QuickCure Clay and QuickCure Wood Filler.
Frontal Polymerization
Frontal polymerization is the basis of research that led to the invention of Quick Cure Clay and Quick Cure Wood Filler, Frontal polymerization was invented in the 1970s in Chernogolovka, Russia and then "rediscovered" by Professor John A. Pojman, then at The University of Southern Mississippi, in 1991. Here is a complete bibliography of all work published on the topic. Frontal polymerization is "a localized reaction that propagates through a monomer by the coupling of thermal transport and the Arrhenius kinetics of an exothermic polymerization."
Thiol-Acrylate Polymerizations
Along with other researchers, Dr. Pojman found that when thiolacrylate drops were dispersed in the aqueous solutions of formaldehyde and bisulfltesulflte, a twophase system formed. Although a formaldehydebased system would not have practical uses, the system serves as a proof of concept for an approach that could be useful for time-lapse curing of adhesives and coatings.
Three-Toed Amphiuma
In collaboration with Dr. Clifford Fontenot of Southeastern Louisana University, Dr. Pojman is studying the natural history of the three-toed amphiuma in populations in Baton Rouge, LA. They have an ongoing PIT tag project and a radio telemetry project to track and document these animals. Videos of the three-toed amphiuma can be found on Dr. Pojman's YouTube.
Time-lapse Polymerizations
Dr. Pojman has been working for decades on a way to use frontal polymerization to harden materials in a quick, effective time frame. His research on time-lapse polymerizations has led to inventions such as Quick Cure Clay and Quick Cure Wood Filler. His patent on cure-on-demand and time-lapse polymerization provides compositions, methods and kits for the temporal control induction time for a polymerization reaction.
History of Polymers in Art
The use of polymers in art dates back to ancient times, with materials like Japanese lacquerware and natural polymers such as cellulose (found in linen). Even traditional oil paints are a form of polymerizing medium. In 2017, Dr. Pojman helped the Louisiana Art and Science Museum organize the "Polymers in Art through the Centuries" exhibit and, since 2018, has been teaching a hands-on honors class at LSU that focuses on the application of polymer science throughout history. Projects in this class include creating paint, frescoes, and more.
Chemistry in the Art Community
Pojman Polymer Products has garnered a vast community of artists who support one another and share their work to explore more uses for QuickCure products. If you're looking for inspiration on your next piece or simply want to chat with other artists using Quick Cure products, head to our Facebook group! You can also check out some QuickCure Clay creations below.
