Smithers Expands Polymer Expertise with Addition of Senior Materials Scientist
Published: 12/9/2020
(Akron, Ohio) – Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, announces the hire of Crittenden (Critt) Ohlemacher, PhD, to the role of Senior Materials Scientist at its rubber and polymer testing laboratory in Akron, Ohio.Ohlemacher joins the team with over 30 years of experience in chemical analysis and physical testing of rubber and polymer materials. He has special expertise in reverse engineering of elastomers and plastics, bloom and inclusion identification, additive identification and quantitation, compounding, headspace analysis, and plasticizers, antioxidants, and antiozonants.
Ohlemacher will work directly with both the physical properties testing and chemical analysis teams at the Smithers rubber and polymer laboratory in Akron. His work will focus on reconstruction and reverse engineering, mixing and compounding, and analytical techniques.
“Throughout his career, Critt has developed expertise with rubber and polymer applications for a wide variety of industries, including automotive, medical device, energy, marine, and aerospace, just to name a few,” said Christine Domer, General Manager, Akron Laboratories, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division. “His breadth of knowledge and experience will make him a valuable asset for our diverse clients.”
Prior to joining Smithers, Ohlemacher ran a contract testing laboratory at the University of Akron. He also worked in technical operations, development engineering, regulatory compliance, and metallurgy.
“Smithers is committed to continuously investing in new expertise to grow and diversify the services and support we can offer to our clients,” said Dr. Jim Popio, Vice President, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division. “With Critt’s background in additional materials and applications, he has the expertise to help us expand our service portfolio.”
Ohlemacher has a Doctor of Philosophy in polymer science and a Master of Science in polymer science from the University of Akron and a Bachelor of Science in physics from Ohio University. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, SPE, ASM International, and the American Physical Society.
Located in Akron, the Smithers rubber and polymer testing laboratory offers a full suite of material testing, chemical analysis, and sample preparation services for clients across a number of industry segments. The lab shares space with the company’s product testing laboratory and has a sister lab in the United Kingdom. The combination of the two locations and other complementary labs in North America, Europe, and China gives Smithers the capacity, flexibility, and expertise to meet any client’s testing needs worldwide.
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About Smithers:
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence.