Dr. Kaiyi Liu, Media Research Scientist at Parker Filtration Innovation Center in Columbia, TN, discusses his career path and how the Polymer Science program has contributed to his success.
How has the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering (SPSPE) influenced your career?
I have long nourished a vague dream to be a scientist since my childhood, but I didn鈥檛 make up my mind on the subject until the end of college study when I heard about polymers at The University of Akron. I was so lucky to be admitted to the SPSPE for my graduate study, where my dream was finally made true. SPSPE provided me with such a wonderful environment to learn about polymers. Faculty are reputable experts and knowledge contributors in their areas. They all gave out the most precious lesson to students 鈥攈ow to be a scientist. During my studies, I had many opportunities to conduct industrial research thanks to the close relationships faculty have with industry. That allowed me to see the importance of research at the level of creating and converting knowledge for application, which led me to my current position.
How has SPSPE prepared you for your career?
I am so appreciative of my education and the excellent environment for research at SPSPE. My doctoral advisor, Dr. Darrell Reneker, was an especially great mentor. He allowed me tremendous freedom in the research of the electrospinning process and always provided his insights and encouragement every step of the way. Many of his inspiring words are still echoing in my mind years after graduation, such as 鈥渂eing able to learn a new subject quickly and then create new knowledge, this is a Ph.D.鈥�
What has your journey been like since graduating from SPSPE?
After graduation, I worked for Fiberweb Inc. in Nashville, TN, as a Product Development Engineer of nonwoven media technology. Two years later I joined a start-up company, FibeRio Technology Corp. in McAllen, TX, the birthplace of a new nanofiber technology called Forcespinning™. My knowledge and research experience in electrospinning and polymer nanofibers made me a leading scientist in the improvement of this new technology and in the first successful commercial project of the company. My significant contribution led to the acquisition of the Forcespinning™ technology by a major player in the filtration market, Clarcor Inc., which was acquired by Parker Hannifin later. My work also resulted in several technology patents or patent applications.
What is next?
I hope to become a leader of a R&D team and develop a brand-new technology of nanofiber manufacturing, more advanced than electrospinning and Forcespinning™. It鈥檚 a tough path but not impossible.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your family?
I met my wife, Danyang, when we both studied at The University of Akron. We enjoy the weather in middle Tennessee and love hiking with our dog, Dodge, on weekends. We are both learning figure skating, so please don鈥檛 expect to see us so soon in the next Winter Olympics. I鈥檓 also a lover of badminton, like many other sports.
Kaiyi, Danyang, and their dog, Dodge