| TETRAMER TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
PFCB Polymer and Monomer
TetramerNDM (Nanoparticle
Dispersion Matrix)
Proton Exchange Membranes
Gas Separation Membranes
Biorenewable Materials
Piezoelectric Polymers
TetramerNDM (Nanoparticle
Dispersion Matrix)
Proton Exchange Membranes
Gas Separation Membranes
Biorenewable Materials
Piezoelectric Polymers
Products
| Outreach |
Distributed by:
Oakwood Chemicals
NanoBest (Asia)
Oakwood Chemicals
NanoBest (Asia)
Tetramer Technologies owes much of its initial success to the National Science Foundations Small
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. These NSF grants provided the funding necessary to
launch Tetramer's first commercially available product, TOPS2000 PFCB monomer and polymer. "The
primary objective of the NSF SBIR/STTR Program is to increase the incentive and opportunity for small
firms to undertake cutting-edge, high risk, high quality scientific, engineering, or science/engineering
education research that would have a high potential economic payoff if the research is successful."
In addition, the NSF has the goal of "developing a diverse, internationally competitive, and globally-
engaged science and engineering workforce." Towards this goal, Tetramer is actively training high
school students and undergraduates during the summers and through part-time employment using two
types of grants.
Research Assistantship Supplements for High School Students (RAHSS)
The Research Assistantship Supplements for High School Students (RA) supports active research
participation by high schools students in the NSF SBIR/STTR Program.
For three years Tetramer has participated in the RAHSS program. Two high school student each year
spend the summer working the Tetramer laboratories. In addition to getting hands on experience in cut-
edge chemistry and materials science, the students have seen first-hand what it takes to run a small
business and what entrepreneurialship is all about.
To date, four high school girls have gone through the RAHSS program and most of them for two
consecutive summers.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation
by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation.
Two Success Stories
2008 is the second year that Tetramer has participated in the REU program and we are very excited
about it. Being located within 5 miles of Clemson University, Tetramer has a ready and will talent pool.
Before participation in the REU program, Tetramer has had 2 undergraduates work for us. Since then
these two men have gone on to pursue degrees in Chemistry at UC Berkley and the University of
Florida. Upon completion of their degrees, both have indicated they are looking to return to South
Carolina to rejoin Tetramer as Senior Scientist.
Current REUs
Currently, Tetramer has 5 undergraduate students working part-time during the school year or over the
summer. These students are honing the skills they learn in their university labs and testing their
classroom knowledge in the areas of organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, optics, and physics. In
addition, they are getting to participate in the life of a small business where there performance really
does have an affect.
CES 403 OR 603: CAREER SUCCESS IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (download .pdf flyer)
Originally funded by the NSF Discovery Corp Fellowship Program, a "program seeking . . . professional
development models that combine research with service-oriented projects. . that address areas of
national need (including . . . workforce development and job creation, and innovative linkages between
chemistry and other fields)," CES 403/603 "Career Success in Research and Development" is Dr. Earl
Wagener's chance to teach undergraduates and graduates at Clemson University what you need to
know before going into an industrial setting. Dr. Wagener, a Clemson University graduate who has
spent 39 years in global industrial R&D at Dow Chemical, Stepan Company, and Clemson University
spin-off Tetramer, teaches the course and provides an insider’s look at how to successfully use the
tools and processes needed to pursue a rewarding career.
The course is open to all college of engineering and science junior and senior undergraduate and
graduate students interested in a career in industry. Not only will this course enhance a resume, but it
also provides a clear understanding of the future research and development working environment which
will help a student avoid the land mines many encounter early on.
The course topics involve both the linear and non-linear aspects of career development including
research project execution and prioritization, salary and benefits, intellectual property, how to react to
performance reviews, career path options, insider’s advice and more. The course is designed for 5
member team assignments and will provide stimulating interactive discussion on how to succeed both
personally and professionally in an industrial research environment.
This course has been incredibly successful, having received the highest student ratings in the College
of Engineering and Science at Clemson. In addition, versions of this class have been adopted for use at
Auburn and Virginia Tech.
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. These NSF grants provided the funding necessary to
launch Tetramer's first commercially available product, TOPS2000 PFCB monomer and polymer. "The
primary objective of the NSF SBIR/STTR Program is to increase the incentive and opportunity for small
firms to undertake cutting-edge, high risk, high quality scientific, engineering, or science/engineering
education research that would have a high potential economic payoff if the research is successful."
In addition, the NSF has the goal of "developing a diverse, internationally competitive, and globally-
engaged science and engineering workforce." Towards this goal, Tetramer is actively training high
school students and undergraduates during the summers and through part-time employment using two
types of grants.
Research Assistantship Supplements for High School Students (RAHSS)
The Research Assistantship Supplements for High School Students (RA) supports active research
participation by high schools students in the NSF SBIR/STTR Program.
For three years Tetramer has participated in the RAHSS program. Two high school student each year
spend the summer working the Tetramer laboratories. In addition to getting hands on experience in cut-
edge chemistry and materials science, the students have seen first-hand what it takes to run a small
business and what entrepreneurialship is all about.
To date, four high school girls have gone through the RAHSS program and most of them for two
consecutive summers.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation
by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation.
Two Success Stories
2008 is the second year that Tetramer has participated in the REU program and we are very excited
about it. Being located within 5 miles of Clemson University, Tetramer has a ready and will talent pool.
Before participation in the REU program, Tetramer has had 2 undergraduates work for us. Since then
these two men have gone on to pursue degrees in Chemistry at UC Berkley and the University of
Florida. Upon completion of their degrees, both have indicated they are looking to return to South
Carolina to rejoin Tetramer as Senior Scientist.
Current REUs
Currently, Tetramer has 5 undergraduate students working part-time during the school year or over the
summer. These students are honing the skills they learn in their university labs and testing their
classroom knowledge in the areas of organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, optics, and physics. In
addition, they are getting to participate in the life of a small business where there performance really
does have an affect.
CES 403 OR 603: CAREER SUCCESS IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (download .pdf flyer)
Originally funded by the NSF Discovery Corp Fellowship Program, a "program seeking . . . professional
development models that combine research with service-oriented projects. . that address areas of
national need (including . . . workforce development and job creation, and innovative linkages between
chemistry and other fields)," CES 403/603 "Career Success in Research and Development" is Dr. Earl
Wagener's chance to teach undergraduates and graduates at Clemson University what you need to
know before going into an industrial setting. Dr. Wagener, a Clemson University graduate who has
spent 39 years in global industrial R&D at Dow Chemical, Stepan Company, and Clemson University
spin-off Tetramer, teaches the course and provides an insider’s look at how to successfully use the
tools and processes needed to pursue a rewarding career.
The course is open to all college of engineering and science junior and senior undergraduate and
graduate students interested in a career in industry. Not only will this course enhance a resume, but it
also provides a clear understanding of the future research and development working environment which
will help a student avoid the land mines many encounter early on.
The course topics involve both the linear and non-linear aspects of career development including
research project execution and prioritization, salary and benefits, intellectual property, how to react to
performance reviews, career path options, insider’s advice and more. The course is designed for 5
member team assignments and will provide stimulating interactive discussion on how to succeed both
personally and professionally in an industrial research environment.
This course has been incredibly successful, having received the highest student ratings in the College
of Engineering and Science at Clemson. In addition, versions of this class have been adopted for use at
Auburn and Virginia Tech.