YuanQiao Rao, Ph.D.

YuanQiao Rao, Ph.D.
Program Chair and Professor, Polymer Engineering and Science
[email protected]
814-898-6153
213B Burke
Mailing Address:
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
PENN STATE BEHREND
242 BURKE CENTER
ERIE PA 16563

Dr. YuanQiao (Yuan) Rao is a professor and chair of the Polymer Engineering and Science department at Penn State Behrend. She joined Behrend in January 2026 after a long industrial career (Kodak; Dow), most recently as a Senior R&D Fellow. Rao is known for translating deep polymer science into manufacturable products across sustainable and biodegradable polymers, interfacial engineering and adhesion, membranes and separations, optical/functional coatings, and advanced processing. An ACS Fellow (2025) and widely published inventor, she leads an undergraduate-centered, hands-on/open lab program anchored by an AI-assisted polymer processing testbed (reactive extrusion, molding, coatings, inline metrology, and data/ML) that links chemistry–structure–processing–properties to shorten design–build–test cycles. She champions industry–university–government collaboration to co-define problems and accelerate solutions in energy, health, and sustainability.

AI-assisted polymer processing (autonomous lab; reactive extrusion, injection molding coating; inline sensing and data/ML; chemistry–structure–processing–property relationships; interfacial science and adhesion (polymer–polymer, polymer–ceramic/metal); membranes and separations; sustainable and biodegradable polymers (design for recyclability/biodegradation; materials for energy and health science; lignin-derived systems)) driven by triple bottom line sustainability principles; optical/functional coatings; quality-by-design and scale-up/manufacturability.

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

Design of voltage stabilizers for high breakdown strength materials. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 141 (2024).
Collaborators: D. Yu; et al. 

Impact of degree of ethoxylation on sodium lauryl ether sulfate surfactant adsorption onto silicone-in-water emulsion droplets. Langmuir 40: 18917–18924 (2024).
Collaborators: D. S. Miller; et al. 

Simple genomic traits predict rates of polysaccharide biodegradation. Environmental Science & Technology 58: 13000–13009 (2024).
Collaborators: X. Shan; et al. 

35 Voices from Chemistry of Materials: Science Is Global. Chemistry of Materials 35: 7345–7350 (2023).
Contributor: Y. Rao. 

Viscoelastic mechanical models of the peel strength of adhesives. ACS Applied Engineering Materials 1: 2458–2471 (2023).
Collaborators: M. Petr; Y. Rao. 

Glasslike polymer nanocomposite coating via high loading of mixed-size nanoparticles. ACS Applied Polymer Materials 4(1): 672–681 (2022).
Collaborators: Y. Matsuda*; J. Yang; T. Fitzgibbons; Y. Rao* (co-corresponding). 

Nanofiltration membranes from crosslinked Tröger’s base polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs). Journal of Membrane Science 595: 117501 (2020).
Collaborators: P. Agarwal; et al. 

Thin-film composite membranes from polymers of intrinsic microporosity using a layer-by-layer method. Journal of Membrane Science 572: 475–479 (2019).
Collaborators: P. Agarwal; Y. Rao; et al. 

Structure and thickness dependence of thin films of phenyl and methyl silsesquioxane polymers. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 502: 128–135 (2018).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; et al. 

Barrier properties and structure of liquid crystalline epoxy and its nanocomposites. Polymer 142: 109–118 (2018).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; A. Liu; K. O’Connell. 

Structural evolution of silica gel and silsesquioxane using thermal curing. Applied Spectroscopy 70(8): 1328–1338 (2016).
Collaborators: N. Hu; Y. Rao; et al. 

PU elastomers comprising spherical nanosilicas: balancing rheology and properties. Polymer 55(23): 6076–6084 (2014).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; J. Munro; S. Ge; E. Garcia-Meitin. 

Nanofluids: stability, phase diagram, rheology and applications. Particuology (2010).
Author: Y. Rao. 

Organic solvent-dispersed TiO₂ nanoparticle characterization. Langmuir 25(21): 12713–12720 (2009).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; B. Antalek; J. Minter; T. Mourey; T. Blanton; G. Slater; L. Slater; J. Fornalik. 

Molecular composites comprising TiO₂ and their optical properties. Macromolecules 41: 4838–4844 (2008).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; S. Chen. 

Relationship between microstructure and toughness of biaxially oriented semicrystalline polyester films. Polymer 49: 2507–2514 (2008).
Collaborators: J. Greener; Y. Rao; C. A. Avila-Orta; B. S. Hsiao; T. Blanton. 

Polymer nanocomposites with low thermal expansion coefficient. Macromolecules 41: 935 (2008).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; T. Blanton. 

Gelatin–clay nanocomposites of improved properties. Polymer 48(18): 5369 (2007).
Author: Y. Rao. 

Mechanics of polymer–clay nanocomposites. Macromolecules 40(2): 290 (2007).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; J. Pochan. 

Thermal transitions studied by iso-strain force–temperature test (IFTT). Polymer Testing 27(1): 20–26 (2007).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; R. J. Farris. 

Fatigue and creep of high-performance fibers: deformation mechanics and failure criteria. International Journal of Fatigue 30: 793 (2008).
Collaborators: R. J. Farris; Y. Rao. 

The evolution of structure and properties in poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) fibers. Polymer 42: 5925 (2001).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; A. J. Waddon; R. J. Farris. 

Structure–property relation in poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) fibers. Polymer 42: 5937 (2001).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; A. J. Waddon; R. J. Farris. 

Influence of twist on the mechanical properties of high-performance fiber yarns: modeling and experiment. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 77: 1938–1949 (2000).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; R. J. Farris. 

Fatigue behavior of high-performance fiber yarns. Korea Polymer Journal 6(1): 91 (1998).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; M. Sakuda; R. J. Farris. 

The synthesis and properties of liquid crystalline polyestercarbonate. Acta Polymerica Sinica 6: 330 (1996).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; L. Gong; D. Liu; Q. Zhou. 

Calculation of the structure-unit content of a liquid-crystal polyestercarbonate containing Bisphenol-A by FT-IR and ¹H NMR. Journal of Tsinghua University (Sci & Tech) (1993).
Collaborators: Y. Rao; K. Wang; Q. Zhou. 

(Proceedings and digests—SID, ANTEC, MRS, Nanotech—omitted here, available on request.) 

PATENTS

Sustainable Materials and Personal Care

  • Vinyl articles with improved solar reflectivity — EP4433546A1 (2024). Inventors: Y. Rao; et al.
  • Gas barrier coating films — EP4444544A1 (2024); WO2023104113A1 (2023). Inventors: A. Song; Y. Rao; S. Vuong; et al.
  • Polyolefin formulations (stabilizers/crotophenone) — MX2024001049A (2024); MX2024000859A (2024); MX2023004784A (2023); WO2023014628A1 (2023); WO2022093682A1 (2022). Inventors: X. Yu; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Aqueous matte finish coating formulation… — BR112023018669A2 (2023). Inventors: Y. Gao; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Opacifier for detergent formulations — WO2022150123A1 (2022). Inventors: L. Qi; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Personal care rinse-off composition with composite opacifier particles — WO2022125358A1 (2022). Inventors: L. Qi; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Aqueous suncare formulation based on sulfated crystalline cellulose SPF booster — WO2021150477A1 (2021). Inventors: W. Xu; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Sun care compositions with UV reflective particles — WO2020264165A1 (2020). Inventors: W. Xu; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Methods of making UV reflective particles — US20220355523A1 (2022); WO2020264169A1 (2020). Inventors: Y. Rao; et al.

Barrier Films, Membranes, and Thin-Film Materials

  • Process for producing thin coatings on film — US111453799B2 (2022). Inventors: J. Alaboson; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Phosphonate-modified metal oxide particle — WO2018000295A1 (2018). Inventors: N. Hu; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Passivated thin-film transistor component — US20190067610A1 (2019); WO2017166169A1 (2017). Inventors: N. Hu; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Method of making hydrophobic silica particles — US20190048199A1 (2019). Inventors: A. Song; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Thin-film composite membrane including crosslinked Tröger’s base PIM — US20200009511A1 (2019); WO2018187025A1 (2018). Inventors: P. Agarwal; Y. Rao; et al.

3D Printing Materials

  • US10913203B2 (2021). Inventors: C. Gorin; S. Solanki; X. Jin; A. Pyzik; Y. Rao.

Catalysis

  • Supported catalyst with improved flowability / improving catalyst flow — US10597509B2 (2020); US10676588B2 (2020); US10676589B2 (2020); US10280283B2 (2019). Inventors: Y. Rao; H. Cai; D. Cann; R. Hussein. 

Energy Materials

  • Nanocomposites of copolymers and dielectric materials — WO2014070431A1 (2014). Inventors: C. Hustad; et al.; Y. Rao. 

Nanosized Films for Advanced Lithography

  • Compositions & antireflective coatings for photolithography — US9011591B2 (2015).
  • Improved adhesion in trilayer resists for 193-nm lithography — US9366964B2 (2016). Inventors: Y. Rao; et al. 

Nanofabrication

  • Wire grid polarizer — US20080037101A1 (2008).
  • Nanostructured pattern method of manufacture — US20080038467A1 (2008). Inventors: R. Jagannathan; Y. Rao; X. Mi.

Electrical/Thermal Properties of Nanocomposites, Dielectrics, Inks

  • Photo-imageable thin films with high dielectric constants — WO2017105938A1 (2017); WO2017105914A (2017); WO2017105937A1 (2017). Inventors: C. Woelfle-Gupta; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Light-emitting nanoparticles & process — WO2017079911A1 (2017). Inventors: W. Wang; et al.; Y. Rao.
  • New inks for inkjet printing — US7976147B2 (2010). Inventors: Y. Rao; N. L. Furbeck; S. Evans; E. Schofield. 

Mechanical Properties / Coatings

  • Curable resin composition — KR102057469B (2021); JP0683698B2 (2021); KR2057469B1 (2019).
  • Coating composition — US10774225B2 / CN108137946B (2020). Inventors: J. Kao; Y. Rao. 

Optical Properties of Polymer/Composite Films; Display Optics

  • Coating composition — TWI677477B (2022). Inventors: Y. Guo; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Multi-layered compensation film using specified Tg material as a birefringent layer — US7479309B2 (2009). Inventors: J. Greener; Y. Rao; D. Massa; Y. Lai.
  • Polarizing layer with adherent protective layer — US7329434B2 (2008). Inventors: Y. Rao; P. Lubberts; T. Ishikawa; T. Schunk.
  • Optical films having reverse dispersion — TWI408423B (2007). Inventors: Y. Rao; D. Robello; A. Miller.
  • Film with reverse birefringence dispersion containing UV dopants — US7480021B2 (2009). Inventors: Y. Rao; A. Miller.

Nanocomposites Synthesis

  • Nanocomposite materials comprising high loadings of filler materials and in-situ method — US7569254B2 (2009).
  • Nanocomposite materials and in-situ method — US7455886B2 (2008).
  • Control of birefringence dispersion utilizing nanocomposites — US8663794B2 (2014). Inventors: Y. Rao; S. Chen; J. Chen; T. Ishikawa; N. Furbeck; et al. 

Kodak-Era Imaging and Adhesion (Representative)

  • Optical film for display devices — US7201949B2 (2007). Inventors: B. Houghtaling; M. Nair; Y. Rao; et al.
  • Printing system for microencapsulated media — US20060092400A1 (2006). Inventors: Y. Rao; Y. Wang; J. Sedita.
  • Imaging element… improved crack propagation during conversion — US7179523B2 (2007); US7143674B2 (2007). Inventors: Y. Lai; et al.; Y. Rao.
  • Adhesion patents — US6881492B2 (2005); US6749982B2 (2004); US6514660B1 (2003). Inventors: Y. Rao; D. Majumdar; R. Kress; D. Decker; et al.
  • Additional Kodak-era filings include: US7166657B2 (2007); US7074551B2 (2006); US6946240 (2005); US6854840B2 (2005); US6667148B1 (2003); US6942831B2 (2005); US6931206B2 (2005); US6797458B2 (2004); US6737226B1 (2004); US6727052B1 (2004); US6670110B1 (2003); US6558884B (2003); US6555303B1 (2003).

 

Ph.D., Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S., Polymer Science & Engineering, Tsinghua University
B.S. (Honors), Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University