Profile: 

 

• World-renowned expert in the chemistry and manufacture of Polysilazanes
   

• Internationally known in the field of polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs).
   

• Extensive experience in the development and commercialization of specialty polymers and materials.
   

• Broad knowledge of the application of specialty materials in high performance structures, coatings, adhesives, and electronics.
   

• Inventor of Record on thirty four (34) U.S. Patents and author / co-author of several publications, including two book monographs.
   

• Broad experience in the patenting of chemical technology.

 

 

Education:

 

Ph.D.   Organometallic Chemistry,                 1983,   U. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill     

 

M.S.    Organic Chemistry,                             1981,   U. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill     

           

Unified Navigator Training,                            1974,   U.S. Air Force

 

B.S. Chemical Engineering (with Honors),    1973,   Rutgers University

                                   

B.A.German,                                                   1973,   Rutgers University

                       

Professional Experience: 

With over 37 years of experience in the field, Alex Lukacs has devoted his entire career to the synthesis, modification, and application of polysilazane polymers.  With an extensive academic and experiential background in both chemistry and chemical engineering, he spearheaded the commercialization of many of those polymers through the design and construction of commercial polysilazane plants -- both in India and on the East Coast of the United States.  Alex is recognized world-wide as an expert in polysilazane chemistry, and inspired much of the initial work into the development and application of this new family of inorganic polymers through his groundbreaking work in the 1980's and 1990's. 

 

Polymers such as Ceraset Polyureasilazane, KiON HTT1800, KiON HTA1500, and their Durazane analogues, such as Durazane 1800 and Durazane 1500 were all  developed under his inspiration and direction at various companies, including Hercules Inc., Lanxide Corp., Commodore Polymer Technologies, KiON, KiON Defense Technologies (KDT), and Clariant.  Ceramic conversions of these pre-ceramic compositions were investigated and published in the areas of ceramic fiber, ceramic coatings, and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). Hybrid systems ranging from epoxy-polysilazane, urethane-polysilazane, and phenolic-polysilazane to silicone-polysilazane block co-polymers were also developed and patented under his direction. 

 

While various polysilazane chemistries he developed are currently being utilized in a number of commercial applications, a wealth of undisclosed polysilazane chemistry developed over the many decades of his work in the field remains untapped.  With a career goal of bringing polysilazane chemistry to its full market potential, Alex is committed to the development of novel, game-changing products through the application of various technologies across a wide range of markets, including automotive, energy, architectural, and aerospace.

 

Other Experience: 

 

Captain, U.S. Air Force

 

• Five years’ experience as C141 “Starlifter” Air Transport Navigator
   

• Chief Navigator, Flight Standardization and Evaluation, 18th MAS, McGuire AFB, NJ
   

• Extensive worldwide travel