Matthew G Cowan

Title: **Matthew G. Cowan: Innovator in Hydrogel Technology and Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids**

Introduction

Matthew G. Cowan is a distinguished inventor based in Boulder, Colorado, who has made significant contributions to the fields of polymer science and materials engineering. With a total of two patents to his name, Cowan's work focuses primarily on advanced materials, including thermoplastic elastomer hydrogels and novel polymeric films.

Latest Patents

Cowan's recent innovations include two groundbreaking patents. The first patent details the development of thermoplastic elastomer hydrogels. This innovation presents a block copolymer hydrogel comprising a specific blend of polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer and polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide)-polystyrene triblock copolymer. The formulation aims for a molar ratio between 95:5 and 1:99 SO/SOS, with a liquid medium concentration ranging from 32:1 to 2:1 liquid medium/SO-SOS by weight. Remarkably, this hydrogel exhibits fatigue resistance to at least 500,000 compression cycles, making it a valuable material for various applications.

Cowan's second patent involves composites that comprise curable imidazolium-functionalized poly(room-temperature ionic liquid) copolymers and homopolymers. This patent outlines methods of preparing and utilizing these innovative compositions, highlighting novel methods to create thin, supported, room-temperature ionic liquid-containing polymeric films on porous supports. Notably, certain embodiments of this invention eliminate the need for a gutter layer, enhancing the gas permeance and selectivity of the composite membranes compared to traditional methods.

Career Highlights

Matthew G. Cowan has worked with respected institutions such as the University of Colorado and the Colorado State University Research Foundation. His academic and industrial endeavors have allowed him to explore the frontiers of polymer technology and contribute to practical applications in multiple scientific domains.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Cowan has collaborated with prominent researchers, including Douglas L. Gin and Richard Daniel Noble. These partnerships have fostered innovation and enabled the development of advanced materials that can be used in a variety of high-tech applications.

Conclusion

With his patented technologies and collaboration with leading institutions, Matthew G. Cowan has established himself as an influential inventor in polymer science. His work continues to pave the way for advancements in material engineering, particularly in the development of high-performance hydrogels and functionalized polymeric films. As the field evolves, contributions from inventors like Cowan will undoubtedly drive progress in innovation and technology.