Academic Degrees
- Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 2000
- M.Eng., Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1998
- B.S., Chemical Engineering, Montana State University, 1994
Areas of Research and Professional Interest
- Fundamental material interrelationships between structure, property, and function of natural and synthetic polymers, ionomers, hybrid organic-inorganic materials, and sol-gel glasses
- Transport of molecule, ion, and electrons in complex structures and interfaces
- Structured and functional surfaces and materials
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Inventions/Patents
- Hibbs, M.R.; Fujimoto, C.H.; Cornelius, C.J. “Poly(phenylene)-based Anion Exchange Membrane,” U.S. Patent 7,888,397 B1.
- Cornelius, C.J.; Staiger, C.L.; Miller, K.A.; Vaughn, M.R., “Hybrid Membrane-PSA System for Separating Oxygen from Air,” U.S. Patent 7,875,101.
- Cornelius, C.J.; Fujimoto, C.H.; Hickner, M.A., “Sulfonated Polyphenylene Polymers Useful for Polymer Electrolyte Membranes and Nanocomposites,” U.S. Patent 7,186,790.
- Cornelius, C.J., “Hybrid organic-inorganic Proton-Exchange Membrane Materials Based on Sulfonated Polyimide Block Copolymers Useful for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells,” U.S. Patent 7,022,810
Courses Taught
About Christopher Cornelius
Chris J. Cornelius' work investigates fundamental material interrelationships between structure, physical properties, and transport, of natural and synthetic polymers, ionomers, hybrid organic-inorganic materials, and sol-gel glasses. He teaches graduate and undergraduate thermodynamics, polymer physics, and transport phenomena. His combined research experience spans over 15 years as a faculty member, a senior administrator in academia, a national laboratory staff scientist, and an industrial engineer. He uses his unique perspectives to contribute to outreach efforts to promote student and faculty diversity to enrich the research, scholarship, and learning domains. In addition to teaching and research, he is also the Editor of the Journal of Materials Science.
Honors and Awards
- First Place, National Collegiate Education Awards Winner, Montana State University, 1993
- Southern Region Education Board Doctoral Fellowship VPI&SU, 1997-1999
- Eastman Chemical Fellowship in Polymer Chemistry VPI&SU, 1999-2000
- Pratt Presidential Scholarship,VPI&SU, 1998-99
- GE Academic Fellowship VPI&SU, 1996-1997
- Hearst Scholarship Montana State University, 1994
- Dow Native American Scholarship in Chemical Engineering, 1992-1994
- DOE/NORCUS Scholarship, 1990-1993
- A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship, 1989-1994
Selected Publications
- Fan, Y.; Lee, H-S.; Staiger, C.L.; McGrath, J.E.; and Cornelius,* C.J. “The Effect of Block Length upon Structure, Physical Properties, and Transport within a Series of Sulfonated Poly(arylene ether sulfone)s,” Journal of Membrane Science, 430, 106-112, (2013). Impact Factor: 3.673 Cited: 0
- Fan, Y. and Cornelius,* C.J. “Raman Spectroscopic and Gas Transport Study of a Pentablock Ionomer Complexed with Metal Ions and its Relationship to Physical Properties,” Journal of Materials Science, 48(3), 1153-1161, (2013). Impact Factor: 2.015 Cited: 0
- Hibbs, H. and Cornelius,* C.J. “Ion Transport in Random and Block Sulfonated Polyimides,” Journal of Materials Science, 48(3), 1303-1309, (2013).Impact Factor: 2.015 Cited: 0
- Fan, Y.; Zhang, M; Lee, HS; Moore, RB; McGrath, J.E.; Cornelius,* C.J. “Viscoelastic and Gas Transport Properties of a Series of Multiblock Copolymer Ionomers,” Polymer, 52(18), 3963-3969, (2011). Impact Factor: 3.642 Cited: 3
- Switzer, E.E.; Olson, T.S.; Datye, A.K.; Atanassov,* P.; Hibbs, M.R.; Fujimoto, C.; Cornelius, C.J. “Novel KOH-free Anion-exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: Performance Comparison of Alternative Anion-exchange Ionomers in Catalyst Ink,” Electrochimica Acta, 55(9), 3404-3408, (2010). Impact Factor: 3.642 Cited: 28
- Stanis,* R.J.; Yaklin, M.A.; Cornelius, C.J.; Takatera, T.; Umemoto, A.; Ambrosini, A.; Fujimoto, C.H. “Evaluation of Hydrogen and Methanol Fuel Cell Performance of Sulfonated Diels Alder Polyphenylene Membranes,” Journal of Power Sources, 195(1), 104-110, (2010). Impact Factor: 4.283 Cited: 6
- Hibbs, M.R.; Fujimoto, C.H.; Cornelius,* C.J. “Poly(phenylene)-based Anion Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells,” ECS Transactions,19(30), 89-97, (2009). Impact Factor: TBD Cited: 2
- Hibbs,* M.R.; Fujimoto, C.H.; Cornelius, C.J. “Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(phenylene) Based Anion Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells,” Macromolecules, 42(21), 8316-8321, (2009). Impact Factor: 4.837 Cited: 107
- Lilin H.; Smith, H.L.; Majewski, J.; Cornelius, C.J.; Fujimoto, C.H.; Perahia,* D. “From Solutions to Membranes: Structure Studies of Rigid Sulfonated Ionomers,” Macromolecules, 42(18), 7084-7090, (2009). Impact Factor: 4.837 Cited: 5
- Switzer, E.E.; Olson, T.S.; Datye, A.K.; Atanassov,* P.; Hibbs, M.R.; Cornelius, C.J. “Templated Pt-Sn Electrocatalysts for Ethanol, Methanol, and CO Oxidation in Alkaline Media,” Electrochimica Acta, 54(3), 989-995, (2009). Impact Factor: 3.642 Cited: 38
- James, C.W.; Marand,* E.; Fujimoto, C.H.; Cornelius,* C.J. “The Effect of Temperature and Humidity on the O2 Sorption in Sulfonated Polyphenylenes,” Polymer, 50(14), 3220-3224, (2009). Impact Factor: 3.828 Cited: 2
- Lilin H.; Smith, H.L.; Majewski, J.; Cornelius, C.J.; Fujimoto, C.H.; Perahia,* D. “Interfacial Effects on Water penetration into Ultrathin Ionomer Films: An in-situ Study Using Neutron Reflectometry,”Macromolecules, 42(15), 5745-5751, (2009). Impact Factor: 4.837 Cited: 5
- Hibbs, M.R.; Hickner, M.A.; Alam, T.M.; McIntyre, S.K.; Fujimoto, C.H.; Cornelius,* C.J. “Transport Properties of Hydroxide and Proton Conducting Membranes,” Chemistry of Materials, 20(7), 2566-2573, (2008). Impact Factor: 7.286 Cited: 103
- Staiger, C.L.; Pas, S.; Hill, A.J.; Cornelius,* C.J.“Gas Separation, Free Volume Distribution, and Physical Aging of a Highly Microporous Spirobisindane Polymer,” Chemistry of Materials, 20(8), 2606-2608, (2008). Impact Factor: 7.286 Cited: 56