Sheldon E. Isakoff
Encyclopedia
Sheldon E. Isakoff is a chemical engineer
, former director of Engineering Research and Development at DuPont
, and former committee member of the National Research Council
. His major contributions include the development of EFT Dacron
and nylon
processes, improvements to Mylar and Cronar process, and the establishment of the first Lycra
plant in the world. He is also honored for his contributions in unsteady-rate operations control
. After retirement from industry, Isakoff served as the president of United Engineering Trustees and chairman of the Chemical Heritage Foundation
board.
's School of Engineering and Applied Science. After graduating from Columbia, he joined DuPont Company. There he pioneered works in process dynamics and computer applications as research director of the materials engineering laboratory and of the engineering physics laboratory. His other research directions encompassed technology management
, market assessment, process scale-up, and commercialization
. Isakoff later returned to Columbia as an advisor in the Chemical Engineering Department.
. He was president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
. He was recipient of Columbia University's Pupin Medal and Egleston Medal of excellence. He is the author of numerous chemical engineering books including High-Tech Materials: Challenges and Opportunities for Chemical Engineers.
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
, former director of Engineering Research and Development at DuPont
DuPont
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company , commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802 as a gunpowder mill by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. DuPont was the world's third largest chemical company based on market capitalization and ninth based on revenue in 2009...
, and former committee member of the National Research Council
United States National Research Council
The National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the United States National Academies, carrying out most of the studies done in their names.The National Academies include:* National Academy of Sciences...
. His major contributions include the development of EFT Dacron
Polyethylene terephthalate
Polyethylene terephthalate , commonly abbreviated PET, PETE, or the obsolete PETP or PET-P, is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers; beverage, food and other liquid containers; thermoforming applications; and engineering resins often in combination...
and nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
processes, improvements to Mylar and Cronar process, and the establishment of the first Lycra
Spandex
Spandex or elastane is a synthetic fibre known for its exceptional elasticity. It is strong, but less durable than natural Latex, its major non-synthetic competitor. It is a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer that was co-invented in 1959 by chemists C. L. Sandquist and Joseph Shivers at DuPont's...
plant in the world. He is also honored for his contributions in unsteady-rate operations control
Control operation
In telecommunication, a control operation is an operation that affects the recording, processing, transmission, or interpretation of data....
. After retirement from industry, Isakoff served as the president of United Engineering Trustees and chairman of the Chemical Heritage Foundation
Chemical Heritage Foundation
The Chemical Heritage Foundation is a library, museum, and archive in Philadelphia that was founded in 1982. Its founding president was Arnold Thackray, who was winner of the Dexter Award in 1983, and who continued to serve as president thru 2009....
board.
Background and Work
Between 1945 and 1952, Isakoff received a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D from Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
's School of Engineering and Applied Science. After graduating from Columbia, he joined DuPont Company. There he pioneered works in process dynamics and computer applications as research director of the materials engineering laboratory and of the engineering physics laboratory. His other research directions encompassed technology management
Technology Management
Technology Management is set of management disciplines that allows organizations to manage its technological fundamentals to create competitive advantage...
, market assessment, process scale-up, and commercialization
Commercialization
Commercialization is the process or cycle of introducing a new product or production method into the market. The actual launch of a new product is the final stage of new product development, and the one where the most money will have to be spent for advertising, sales promotion, and other marketing...
. Isakoff later returned to Columbia as an advisor in the Chemical Engineering Department.
Recognition
Sheldon Isakoff is a member of the National Academy of EngineeringNational Academy of Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering is a government-created non-profit institution in the United States, that was founded in 1964 under the same congressional act that led to the founding of the National Academy of Sciences...
. He was president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers is a professional organization for chemical engineers.AIChE was established in 1908 with the purpose of establishing chemical engineers as a profession independent from chemists and mechanical engineers.As of 2010, AIChE had over 40,000 members,...
and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
. He was recipient of Columbia University's Pupin Medal and Egleston Medal of excellence. He is the author of numerous chemical engineering books including High-Tech Materials: Challenges and Opportunities for Chemical Engineers.