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T. Michael Duncan

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Raymond G. Thorpe Teaching Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

R.F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

T. Michael Duncan
T. Michael Duncan
Graduate Field Affiliation
Chemical Engineering

Biography

Professor Duncan earned his B.S. from University of Michigan (1975), M.S., from California Institute of Technology (1977) and Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology (1980). He worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories (1980-90) and was designated a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, AT&T Bell Laboratories, (1986). Professor Duncan became a Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow, Cornell University (2005) and the Raymond G. Thorpe Teaching Professor in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (2010).

Research Interests

Research in heterogeneous catalysis and advanced materials to determine the molecular basis for macroscopic effects, such as chemical, electrical, and mechanical properties. The investigations involve spectroscopic characterization with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as the primary tool, complemented with established methods, notably infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Through this characterization one devises, for example, mechanisms of catalytic reactions or the effects of processing on material microstructures. This offers the potential to improve the reaction or the materials processing.

  • Colloids and Interfacial Science
  • Polymers and Soft Matter
  • Surface Science

Teaching Interests

EngrD 2190 – Chemical Process Design & Analysis

ChemE 3900 – Chemical Kinetics & Reactor Design

ChemE 4220 – Chemical Engineering Processes Laboratory

Select Publications

  • Duncan, T. M., J.A. Reimer. 2019. Chemical Engineering Design and Analysis-An Introduction, second edition, New York, United States: Cambridge University Press.

  • Aguilera-Mercado, B M., G D. Genesky, Thomas Michael Duncan, Claude Cohen, Fernando Escobedo. 2010. “²H-NMR and Simulation Studies of Chain Segment Orientation in PDMS Bimodal Networks.” Macromolecules43(17): 7173-7184.

  • Genesky, G. D., Thomas Michael Duncan, Claude Cohen. 2009. “The Effect of Precursor Molar Mass on the ²H-NMR Lineshapes of End-Linked PDMS Elastomers.” Macromolecules42(22): 8882-8888.

  • Batra, A., C. Cohen, Thomas Michael Duncan. 2006. “Scaling Behavior of the Viscosity of Polydimethylsiloxane Ionomer Solutions.” Macromolecules39(6): 2398-2404.

  • Duncan, Thomas Michael. 1994. “NMR Spectroscopy and Dynamics at Catalytic Surfaces.” In Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Probes of Molecular Dynamics, edited by R. Tycko, 525-550. The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

T. Michael Duncan's Google Scholar

Select Awards and Honors

  • Kendall S. Carpenter Award for Sustained and Distinguished Contributions to Undergraduate Advising, Cornell University 2022
  • Raymond G. Thorpe Teaching Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University 2010
  • McCormick Award for Excellence in Advising First-Year Students, Cornell University 2006, 2010, 2018
  • Tau Beta Pi/Cornell Society of Engineers Award for Excellence in Teaching, Tau Beta Pi 1997, 2008, 2013
  • New York's Professor of the Year, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education 2007
  • Merrill Presidential Scholar Mentor, Cornell University 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2019, 2020, 2022
  • Weiss Presidential Fellow, Cornell University 2005

Education

  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan 1975
  • M.S., Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology 1977
  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology 1980