2026 Science & Technology Awards nominations are due by June 30
Akron, OH – Rubber Division, ACS annually honors the best of the best with the most prestigious awards in our industry – the Science & Technology Awards. Nominate someone who deserves to be recognized.
Click here for information about nominating someone and for full award descriptions.
Charles Goodyear Medal
The highest honor conferred by the Rubber Division, ACS! The purpose of this award is to perpetuate the memory of Charles Goodyear as the discoverer of the vulcanization of rubber. The medal honors individuals for an outstanding invention, innovation or development which has resulted in a significant change or contribution to the nature of the rubber industry.
Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award
This award perpetuates the memory of Melvin Mooney, the developer of the Mooney Viscometer, by recognizing the contributions of Rubber Division, ACS members/affiliates in the field of rubber science and technology. The recipient shall be a Rubber Division, ACS member who has exhibited exceptional technical competency through significant and repeated contributions to rubber science and technology.
George Stafford Whitby Award for Distinguished Teaching & Research
This award perpetuates the memory of George S. Whitby, head of the rubber laboratory at The University of Akron and for years the only individual who taught rubber chemistry in the USA. The recipient shall be a professor (or equivalent) who has made outstanding contributions to chemical, material or polymer science education through teaching and innovative research.
Sparks-Thomas Award
This award perpetuates the memory of William J. Sparks and Robert M. Thomas, chemists, who developed butyl Rubber. The award recognizes and encourages outstanding contributions in the field of elastomers by younger scientists, technologists and engineers. The nominee must be within 25 years of earning a baccalaureate degree.
Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award
This award honors significant contributions to the advancement of the chemistry of thermoplastic elastomers. The recipient must have made an outstanding contribution in the field of thermoplastic elastomer chemistry, with emphasis on innovations yielding new commercial or patentable materials or processes.
Fernley H. Banbury Award
This award perpetuates the memory of Fernley H. Banbury, the inventor and developer of the internal mixer that bears his name. The recipient shall have been principal inventor of innovative production equipment, instrumentation, control systems or developed improved processing technologies widely used in the manufacture of rubber or rubber-like articles of importance.
Sustainability in Elastomers Award
Originally established in 2018 as the “Bioelastomer Award”, this award honors significant contributions to the advancement of sustainability in elastomers. The recipient must have made an outstanding contribution to the understanding, development, or utilization of sustainable elastomers. Eligible contributions shall include developments that impact sustainability through the reduction of carbon footprint, the improvement of human and environmental compatibility, increased utilization of material derived from natural sources, and recycling.