Richard P. Wool's contributions to sustainable polymers from 2000 to 2015

Professor Richard P. Wool led the resurgence of renewable and sustainable polymers. This began through the development of rigid structural composites from plant oils and renewable fibers. These developments required the use of chemical modification of triglycerides through acrylation, maleinization, and other methods while also using selected comonomers to affect the resulting polymer properties. In addition, high performing adhesives and foams were also prepared from modified plant oils. This work shows that lignin can be used as an additive in composites, and nontoxic and value added monomers and polymers from lignin can be prepared. These developments have found utility in composites, coatings, adhesives, electronics, and clothing.