Month: June 2021

Shuhong Wang is Technical Laureate at Dupont. For over 200 years, DuPont has been synonymous with life-changing discoveries and scientific know-how, reinventing themselves along the way.

Shuhong Wang’s Story

When did your interest in science or engineering begin?
My interest in science started in Middle school after I took chemistry and physics. I found the subjects to be very interesting.

What was it like to be a woman studying in your field?
I grew up in China. Although I was taught that women can do everything there were mostly men in science and engineering. I remember that when I picked college applications and chose to be an engineer in polymer and materials, my classmates joked that I may grow beard in the future.

Share with us some of your career highlights.
I am a Technical Laureate at Dupont and have developed a strong reputation internally and externally, through sustained and impactful contributions, broadly recognized collaborative and pragmatic approach to product development, and customer focus.

Over my 25 years in DuPont, I have led the development of many DuPont Kalrez® products, that widely adopted, well recognized and proven to be the premium sealing materials for most aggressive and demanding environment. I received DuPont Bolton/Carothers Innovative Science Award in 2011. In 2020, I got the DuPont Pedersen Metal Award which recognizes and promotes technical and scientific excellence.

I have a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from University of Cincinnati and a B.S. from East China University of Science and Technology. I am an author of over 35 publications and several patents. My current goal is to inspire, recognize, and develop others and be a role model for younger generation innovators.

To date, what project is your greatest innovation success? What is the story behind it?
Kalrez® 9000 series compounds for premium semicon plasma application. Among them, Kalrez® 9100 won Editor’s Choice 2008 Best Product Award for “The Semiconductor International” and became the industry benchmark.

Over the years I developed deep understanding of elastomeric science and technology and developed a map relating the material to key properties for semicon use such as thermal, plasma and chemical resistance as well as sealing functionality. Working with a broader Kalrez® Research & Development Team, Kalrez® 9000 series compounds were developed with unique and preparatory chemistry, material science and engineering.

The biggest and unique challenge to develop these new products for semicon applications is to improve all the performance while reducing the introduction of potential contaminations. However, semicon industry doesn’t have standard methods to measure or predict those contaminants for sealing materials. I did a deep-dive into the semicon related processes and plasma science. I worked with various groups within the DuPont company and the external industry consortia such as IMEC, SEMATECH and universities, developed plasma testing capabilities to simulate industrial processes, such as plasma enhanced deposition, etching and ashing, as well as particle testing methods to predict the particle generation potential from sealing materials. Developed technical data to support the introduction of new products. Provide seminars and presentations to key customers and at conferences.

Tell us about something that made you grow the most as a leader in your field.
Curiosity, Passion, Tenacity, Collaboration…

How are you and/or your company bringing innovation to the forefront?
Perfluoroelastomer was invented by DuPont. It is the most thermal and chemical stable elastomer. Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer parts deliver sealing solutions for most challenge and demanding applications. We’re pushing the boundary for sealing materials, to develop seals that will stand at extremely high temperatures (> 300 oC), and with the most aggressive, and harsh chemicals. Seals are essential to keep the equipment operating properly and to contain the toxic and corrosive chemicals and gases. The seals also offer important protection to workers and the surrounding environment.

Over the years I led the development of many DuPont™ Kalrez® perfluoroelastomers products are used as critical seals in the advanced manufacturing of semiconductor integrated circuits (IC) and other microelectronic devices. Other example is in oil and gas drilling applications where it is under extreme high pressure together with high temperature in down hole application, and in applications such as airplane transportation.

What advice do you have for future female engineers?
Lean forward. Don’t be afraid or be shy. Think big and follow you dreams. You can do it!

Jessica Snyder is Hemlock (MI) Site Leader at Dupont. For over 200 years, DuPont has been synonymous with life-changing discoveries and scientific know-how, reinventing themselves along the way.

Jessica Snyder’s Story

When did your interest in science or engineering begin?
I was encouraged by several high school teachers to explore engineering and I had the opportunity to attend a Women in Science & Engineering camp at Penn State. Being able to meet scientists and engineers and see what they do, helped me decide to pursue chemical engineering.

What was it like to be a woman studying in your field?
My chemical engineering class was small and quite diverse. Females were in the minority but I don’t feel that we were treated any differently. I had a great female professor that also served as a role model.

Share with us some of your career highlights.
– Leading a site of >200 people to safely manufacture products for the healthcare industry (current)
– Mentoring the next generation of female engineering leaders
– Leading separation/integration activities during the Dow/DuPont merger and split (2018-2019)
– Implementing projects with contract manufacturers for multiple Dow businesses (2012-2018)
– Involvement with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) as the company’s representative on SWE’s Corporate Partnership Council (2016-2018)
– Society of Women Engineer’s Emerging Leader Award (2015)
– Managing pilot plant facilities to produce new emulsion and adhesive products (2006-2011)

To date, what project is your greatest innovation success? What is the story behind it?
As a young engineer, I was working at a site that produced adhesives. Operators had to enter confined spaces on a weekly basis to manually clean the residue build-up from glass-lined reactors. Despite doubts and previous failures by my predecessors, I found and installed a cleaning solution/spraying system that successfully removed the adhesive from the reactor walls. No more entering confined spaces! Eliminating risk and keeping people safe was the best outcome in addition to saving time and reducing cost.

Tell us about something that made you grow the most as a leader in your field.
When the opportunity for my current role was presented to me, I really questioned myself. My sponsors challenged me and my family supported me. Being uncomfortable and working through change (business, location, team) has allowed me to grow as a leader and experience more.

How are you and/or your company bringing innovation to the forefront?
We are constantly looking at market trends and how we can meet customer needs. At the site level, we are looking at how to optimize our production and scale-up new products more efficiently.

What advice do you have for future female engineers?
The road to an engineering career may be more challenging, but the rewards are high. Set your eyes on the end goal and don’t let a few failures on the way stop you. Surround yourself with those who support you and don’t be afraid to stand out.