Faculty Directory

EDUCATION

• Ph.D., Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts
• B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Neutron Scattering Society of America, Award for Exceptional Service Award, 2006, 2018
• Neutron Scattering Society of America, Fellow (elected 2014)
• Univesity of Maryland Distinguished Scholar Teacher 2012
• American Physical Society, Fellow (elected 1995)
• Department of Commerce Bronze Medal, December 1990
• Electron Microscope Society of America Presidential Student Scholarship, 1982
• Editor, Journal of Polymer Science—Polymer Physics Edition (01/1999-01/2007)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Professional Elected Offices

• Elected to the ASEE Engineering Research Council Board of Directors 2017-2021, 2023-2024 
• Neutron Scattering Society of America, President 2002-2005
• Neutron Scattering Society of America, vice president 1999-2002
• Member-at-Large to the Executive Committee of the Division of Polymer Physics, American Physical Society, 1999-2002

Professional Memberships

• American Society for Engineering Education
• American Physical Society (Fellow)
• Neutron Scattering Society of America (Fellow)
• Materials Research Society
• American Chemical Society
• Biophysical Society

Professional Committee Memberships

• Member of the ASEE Engineering Research Council Board of Directors 2017-2021, 2023-2024
• NIST Center for Neutron Research Program Advisory Committee, member 1999 to 2004
• University of Chicago Review Committee for the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source at Argonne National Laboratory 1997, 1999, 2001
• Large Length Scales Working Group, Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Lab, Dept. of Energy, November 1998
• Basic Energy Science Advisory Committee Review of the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Lab, October 1998
• Scheduling Committee, American Physical Society, Division of High Polymer Physics March Meeting, 1994-1998
• Los Alamos—Argonne National Laboratory Pulsed Neutron Source Program Advisory Committee 1993-1997 (Chair 1996-97)
• Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Research Award Committee, 1994-1997
• American Physical Society Division of High Polymer Physics Nominations Committee
• NASA Microgravity Research Review Panel for Polymers, 1995, 1997

Polymer science, polymer physics, biopolymers, X-ray and neutron scattering, polymer thermodynamics, structure and morphology of polymers.

Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on the planet and can form the basis for sustainable advanced materials.  We are exploring all-cellulose nanocomposites, sythesis of cellulose oligomers through acid hydrolysis and the solubility and properties of cellulose/ionic liquid solutions.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites with Improved Flammability

Polymer nanocomposites formed from layered silicates have been shown to have improved mechanical properties silicate is distributed in an exfoliated or intercalated morphology. We are working with collaborators in both the Fire Protection Engineering Department at the University of Maryland and the Fire Research Division at NIST to synthesis and characterize polymer nanocomposites with improved flammability.

Folding of RNA

RNAs perform many biological functions by folding into specific three-dimensional structures. Understanding how RNAs fold is crucial for understanding the assembly of RNA-protein complexes such as the ribosome, the regulation of gene expression by RNA, and the engineering of RNA sensors and "riboswitches". In the presence of counterions, RNAs collapse into compact intermediates, which subsequently fold into the native tertiary structure. We are addressing these questions using X-ray and neutron scattering to address the structure, kinetics and dynamics of the RNA folding process.

Professor Briber teaches a range of classes at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

At the undergraduate level he has taught:

• ENES 100: Introduction to Engineering Design
• ENMA 150: Materials of Civilization
  
  This is an I-Series Course and a University of Maryland Marquee Science and Technology Course designed for non-science majors. 
• ENMA 300: Introduction to Materials and Their Applications
• ENMA 423: Manufacturing with Polymers

At the graduate level, Dr. Briber has taught:

• ENMA 620: Polymer Physics (MSE Graduate Program core course)
• ENMA 661: Kinetics of Reactions in Materials (MSE Graduate Program core course)

See Publon/ResearcherID: https://publons.com/researcher/2761981/robert-m-briber/

and

Google Scholar page: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=nMBdLFAAAAAJ