Jeff Cafmeyer
Senior Research Scientist
Battelle Memorial Institute

Jeff Cafmeyer is a Senior Research Scientist at Battelle with a career in new material development, material selection, failure analysis and technology assessments. A primary focus of his work has been in the field of renewable resources, especially related to soybeans and biobased chemical and product development. He has led efforts in developing novel biobased lubricants, plasticizers, adhesives, foams, coatings, surfactants, resins and chemical conversions of biobased feedstocks resulting in technologies which have received national recognition with two R&D 100 awards, an EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award and 10 US patents.

Soy-Based Low-Temperature Powder Coatings
Powder coating is an inherently green technology combining solvent-free and high transfer efficiency processes. Further, incorporating bio-based resins such as those derived from soybean oil enables another layer of green attributes to the coating with sustainable and renewable feedstocks. Battelle has developed novel soy-based resins with low-temperature cure suitable for heat-sensitive substrates such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plastics and composites. In low-temperature cure coatings, these resins also exhibit flexibility, durability, high chemical resistance and QUV-B performance exceeding that of super-durable polyesters. Battelle is working closely with formulators and end users during development to address industry needs and facilitate commercial introduction of this technology.