Christopher N. Bowman

About

Christopher N. Bowman is a Distinguished Professor and Clinical Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he also holds the James M & Catherine Patten Chair in Chemical Engineering. His research primarily focuses on the investigation of the formation, structure, and properties of cross-linked polymeric materials, especially those formed through photopolymerization reactions. His group develops new materials and mechanisms for applications including biomaterials, microfluidic devices, dental restorations, liquid crystal displays, nanotechnology, and high technology. Bowman’s work involves a multifaceted approach that includes experimental characterization, modeling of polymerization kinetics, development of new monomers, and the creation of innovative photopolymerization techniques such as living radical and thiol-ene polymerizations. His research also extends to micro- and nanotechnology, where he develops polymer-liquid crystal composites, microfluidic devices, and surface patterning techniques for higher resolution lithography. With a background that includes a B.S. and Ph.D. from Purdue University, Bowman has received numerous awards and honors, including election to the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine, reflecting his significant contributions to the field of chemical and biological engineering.

Research topics

• Materials science
• Composite material
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Organic chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer science
• Polymer chemistry
• Physics
• Engineering physics

Selected publications

• Toward Stimuli‐Responsive Dynamic Thermosets through Continuous Development and Improvements in Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs)

  Advanced Materials · 2020 · 503 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding

  Covalent adaptable networks (CANs), unlike typical thermosets or other covalently crosslinked networks, possess a unique, often dormant ability to activate one or more forms of stimuli-responsive, dynamic covalent chemistries as a means to transition their behavior from that of a viscoelastic solid to a material with fluid-like plastic flow. Upon application of a stimulus, such as light or other irradiation, temperature, or even a distinct chemical signal, the CAN responds by transforming to a s…

  DOI

• Photoclick Chemistry: A Bright Idea

  Chemical Reviews · 2021 · 275 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding

  At its basic conceptualization, photoclick chemistry embodies a collection of click reactions that are performed via the application of light. The emergence of this concept has had diverse impact over a broad range of chemical and biological research due to the spatiotemporal control, high selectivity, and excellent product yields afforded by the combination of light and click chemistry. While the reactions designated as "photoclick" have many important features in common, each has its own parti…

  DOI

• Nanoimprint lithography: Emergent materials and methods of actuation

  Nano Today · 2020 · 160 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  DOI

• Holographic Photopolymer Material with High Dynamic Range (Δ<i>n</i>) via Thiol–Ene Click Chemistry

  ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · 2020 · 56 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding

  ) that reaches 0.04. The refractive index contrast was stable for at least two weeks. Haze in holograms with a high writing monomer loading was significantly reduced when a higher allyl content was incorporated into the binder, resulting in the lowest haze around 0.2%. Finally, the media exhibit high resolution as demonstrated by the ability to record reflection holograms with 140 nm pitch and diffraction efficiency in excess of 90%.

  DOI

• Light‐Activated Stress Relaxation, Toughness Improvement, and Photoinduced Reversal of Physical Aging in Glassy Polymer Networks

  Advanced Materials · 2020 · 29 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding

  - 45 °C) under fixed displacement. In situ activation of RAFT during mechanical loading results in a 50% improvement in elongation to break and 40% improvement in the toughness when compared to the same network without light-activation of RAFT during the tensile testing.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R21CA174479

  NIH · $373k · 2014

• Photoinitiated Reactions in Covalent Adaptable Networks

  NSF · $300k · 2013–2018

• NIH Grant R01DE018233

  NIH · $1.4M · 2013

Frequent coauthors

• Jeffrey W. Stansbury

  University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

  238 shared

• Kristi S. Anseth

  University of Colorado Boulder

  235 shared

• Maciej Podgórski

  University of Colorado Boulder

  114 shared

• Neil B. Cramer

  96 shared

• Sirish K. Reddy

  Micro Focus (United States)

  81 shared

• Kathryn A. Berchtold

  Los Alamos National Laboratory

  77 shared

• Chen Wang

  60 shared

• Jeannine E. Elliott

  52 shared

Education

• B.S.

  Purdue University

  1988

• Ph.D.

  Purdue University

  1991

Awards & honors

• Fellow, National Academy of Medicine, 2018
• ACS Roy W. Tess Award in Coatings, 2018
• Mark Scholar Award, American Chemical Society, Division of P…
• Fellow, National Academy of Inventors, 2017
• Plenary Lecture, American Chemical Society National Meeting,…

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