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Newell R. Washburn

Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of California (Berkeley), 1998

Research

Keywords: Materials chemistry, biomaterials, sustainability, machine learning

Research in the Washburn Group focuses on the intersection of materials chemistry and sustainability. We develop a fundamental understanding of some of the most widely used materials in the world and leverage this to reducing their environmental impact. Our current studies center on biobased polyurethane elastomers and limestone/calcined clay cements (LC3). Machine learning is a central tool that we use in the design process. We have developed the hierarchical machine learning algorithm as a methodology for building accurate models from small, experimental datasets. Students in the Washburn Group gain expertise in both laboratory research and data science, making them uniquely prepared to address critical challenges in materials sustainability.

Publications

Pugar JA, Gang C, Huang C, Haider KW, Washburn NR. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2022 Mar 30;14(14):16568-81

Rios RT, Childs CM, Smith SH, Washburn NR, Kurtis KE. RILEM Technical Letters (2021) 6:140‐149

JA Pugar, CM Childs, C Huang, KW Haider, NR Washburn. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 124 (43), 9722-9733

Childs CM, Canbek O, Kirby TM, Zhang C, Zheng J, Szeto C, Póczos B, Kurtis KE, Washburn NR. Cement and Concrete Research 136, 106173

Childs CM, Washburn NR. MRS Communications, (2019) 1-5

Menon A, Childs CM, Poczós B, Washburn NR, Kurtis KE. Advanced Theory and Simulations. 2019 Apr 1;2(4)

Menon A, Gupta C, Perkins KM, DeCost BL, Budwal N, Rios RT, Zhang K, Poczos B, Washburn NR. Molecular Systems Design & Engineering. 2017; 2: 263-273

Appointments

Years	Position
2010–present	Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë
2004–2010	Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë
2000–2004	Research Chemist, Polymers Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology
1998–2000	Post-Doctoral Associate, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota
1998	Ph.D., Chemistry, University of California (Berkeley)
1993	B.S., Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Awards and Distinctions

Years	Award
2020	Covestro Global Science Award
2010	Coulter Foundation Translational Research Award
2005	3M Non-Tenured Faculty Grant