Brian P. GradyView profile
Professor
Brian P. Grady is a Professor and the Douglas and Hilda Bourne Chair of Chemical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. He serves as Director of the Institute for Applied Surfactant Research and previously led the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering (2014–2022). His research focuses on polymers, surfactants, carbon nanotube composites, and biodegradable materials, utilizing advanced characterization techniques like X-ray scattering and microscopy. Grady has authored over 160 journal papers and holds 9 patents, including a book on carbon nanotube-polymer composites. His work bridges academia and industry, collaborating with organizations like DuPont and Procter & Gamble. Awards include Fellow of AIChE (2021), SPE President (2018–2019), and NSF CAREER Award (1998–2003). He advises numerous graduate students and oversees state-of-the-art labs at OU. Education: Ph.D. Chemical Engineering (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994); B.S. Chemical Engineering (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1987) Affiliations: Gallogly College of Engineering, OU; Institute for Applied Surfactant Research Research interests span polymer physics, surfactant adsorption at solid-liquid interfaces, and nanocomposite design. Key contributions include understanding carbon nanotube dispersion, ionomer crystallization kinetics, and biobased polymer synthesis. His lab employs advanced equipment like SAXS, DSC, and rheometers. Grady’s work addresses challenges in sustainability, energy, and biomedical applications. Awards: Fellow of AIChE (2021) President’s Cup, SPE (2020) NSF CAREER Award (1998–2003) Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2000–2001) Lab Collaborations: Cross-disciplinary projects with academic and industrial partners, focusing on surfactant systems, polymer blends, and nanomaterials. Active in developing shape-memory polymers and biodegradable materials for medical and environmental applications.




