William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering research professor Anil K. Bhowmick has been awarded the 2025 Award for Excellence in Adhesion Science from the Adhesion Society, which has been in operation since 1978. The award, sponsored by 3M, recognizes Bhowmick’s “outstanding and seminal contributions in the area of adhesion of rubbers and rubber-based composites.”
Because rubber is rarely used alone in the production of rubber goods, adhesion between components — which include another rubber, fillers and other ingredients as well as components like steel cord and textiles — is crucial to the integrity of a finished product. Such finished products can include tires, conveyor belts, hoses, and other everyday use items found in homes and schools as well as transportation and manufacturing.
“My research team has made impactful research in this area,” said Bhowmick. “In addition, surface engineering of polymers including rubber and other ingredients to improve bonding and new adhesives has made significant scientific impact.”
“Adhesion science is important in all spheres of life,” he continued. “You need strong adhesion in many applications, whereas in others, you do not require any adhesion. When you eat jam, it should not get stuck to your tongue. Non-stick pans have been developed so that food items do not adhere to the pan during cooking.
“On the other hand, you need very strong adhesion between steel cord and rubber in a tire, without which there could be accidents on the road. Strong adhesion is required between paints and thin steel sheeting in a car body. Many such examples could be cited. The principles of adhesion are important everywhere, and all of us should have basic knowledge about adhesion.”
In fact, he added that following these basic principles of adhesion could even improve “the relationships between countries and human interactions around the world.”
Though the applications are vast, Bhowmick would be hard-pressed to identify a particular favorite topic within his body of research.
“All areas of research on adhesion have been my favorite topics. I taught the subject for 35 years. I co-authored a book on adhesion published by Wiley. I am passionate about my work,” he said.
Learning of his recognition with this award was a “thrilling experience.”
“I was so excited to get the breaking news. It is the highest award from the Adhesion Society, and you can call it a reward for a lifetime teaching and researching in the area of adhesion science,” he said. “I am indebted to Adhesion Society USA for their consideration of my nomination.”
Bhowmick also gratefully acknowledged “the hard work and dedication of many students who worked in this area” with him, as well as the sacrifice of his family and support and cooperation from numerous funding agencies over the course of his career.