Solutia scientist honored by world's largest scientific society

Moran's Accomplishments

James R. Moran of Solutia Inc., in Springfield, Massachusetts, will be recognized Sunday, August 18, by the world's largest scientific society as a "Hero of Chemistry" at the American Chemical Society's 224th national meeting in Boston, along with chemists and chemical engineers from DSM N.V. and DuPont. Retired U.S. Air Force General Brent Scowcroft will speak at the event about what it means to be a hero in today's changing world.

Moran's accomplishments include:

* Development and commercialization of Saflex(R) IIIG interlayer - Saflex(R) IIIG is a major corporate success story wherein an existing commercial product line with global customers and manufacturing sites was reformulated and transformed from one with the reputation for the poorest quality to best-in-class status. This product conversion was achieved without major customer upsets and delivered substantial overall manufacturing cost savings for both the customer and Solutia.

* Development and commercialization of the Vanceva(TM) brand of interlayers - Moran has developed additional technologies that allow the combination of Saflex(R) interlayer with other materials and which have become the foundation for new Vanceva(TM) products that bring added security, protection, aesthetic and comfort features to laminated safety glass. These products include Vanceva(TM) Secure, Vanceva(TM) Design Pattern and Metallic Series.

Applications

Automotive - Laminated glass with Saflex(R) and Vanceva(TM) is used in automotive windshields and side, rear and roof windows for safety, security, solar control, noise abatement and aesthetics.

Upon impact during an accident or break-in attempt, traditional automotive side glass shatters into thousands of pieces. Laminated glass with Saflex(R) and Vanceva(TM) tends to adhere to the interlayer when shattered, helping reduce death and injury.

Architectural - Laminated glass with Saflex(R) and Vanceva(TM) is used in residential and commercial buildings for safety, security, noise abatement, and hurricane, earthquake and bomb blast mitigation.

During a storm or explosion, the shock wave may crack the glass itself, but the fragments stick to the plastic interlayer and the pane stays within its frame. Laminated glass also helps to deflect the explosion, absorbing the blast pressure and some of the energy generated by the blast. Windows are typically the weakest portion of a building and are the first to break in an explosion. According to the Accountability Review Board report on the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and East Africa, most people were killed and injured by flying glass shards and other debris. In the Oklahoma City bombing, the leading cause of injury was flying glass.

About the "Heroes of Chemistry" awards

During its 224th national meeting Aug. 18 in Boston, the American Chemical Society (ACS) and its more than 163,000 members will present four "Heroes of Chemistry" awards. In its sixth year, the "Heroes of Chemistry" awards highlight the contributions of "brilliant industrial chemists and chemical engineers to their companies, to the global marketplace and to the chemical enterprise," according to ACS.

"These innovators have significantly contributed to the protection and security of our world with their technologies that detect, prevent, alleviate or remediate threats to our health and safety," said ACS president Dr. Eli M. Pearce. "The advances made serve as testimonials to the valuable role scientists play in improving our lives. It is with pride that the ACS recognizes them as 'Heroes of Chemistry.'"

A non-profit organization with a membership of over 163,000 and chemical engineers which makes it the world's largest scientific society, the American Chemical Society (www.chemistry.org ) publishes scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio.