David S. Simmons
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David S. Simmons is an American chemical engineer and polymer physicist who is a professor of chemical, biological, and materials engineering at the University of South Florida (USF). His research concerns the glass transition in polymers, molecular dynamics near interfaces and under nanoconfinement, computational materials design, and the mechanics of elastomeric nanocomposites.[1]
Since 2024, Simmons has served as president of the USF Faculty Senate and, through that position, as a member of the university's Board of Trustees.[2][3]
Education and career
Simmons earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Florida, graduating magna cum laude, and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He subsequently completed a National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship in the Polymers Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.[4]
Simmons joined the faculty of the University of Akron in 2012 and moved to USF in 2018. He was promoted to professor in 2024.[4][2]
Research
Glass formation and polymer interfaces
Simmons's research has examined molecular relaxation and the glass transition in polymers and other glass-forming liquids. In 2012, he and collaborators proposed a generalized localization model connecting fast molecular motion to long-time structural relaxation.[5]
His later work investigated how free surfaces, substrates, and polymer–polymer interfaces alter local mobility, relaxation, and glass formation. A 2013 study linked interfacial dynamic length scales in model polymer films to cooperative molecular motion.[6]
In 2023, Simmons and collaborators reported simulations showing long-range, surface-induced dynamical gradients in glass-forming polymer films. They interpreted the results as evidence that local molecular caging and collective elastic effects both contribute to glass formation near interfaces.[7]
Computational materials design
Simmons has developed simulation-based optimization methods for polymer and glass-forming materials design. In 2017, his group introduced a neural-network-biased genetic algorithm that combined evolutionary search with machine learning to identify candidate materials with targeted properties.[8] Related work used molecular-dynamics-based genetic algorithms to design sequence-specific copolymer compatibilizers.[9] His later work examined how monomer sequence affects the glass transition and controls the shapes formed by individual polymer chains.[10][11]
Elastomeric nanocomposites
Simmons has studied the molecular mechanisms by which nanoparticle fillers reinforce elastomers. In 2024, his group reported simulations indicating that the mechanical response of filled elastomers arises from an interplay between the polymer matrix and the nanoparticle network, including deformation-induced volume expansion.[12]
Subsequent work examined the temperature dependence of this reinforcement. A 2025 study proposed that heating-induced softening can arise from competition between the preferred volumes of the elastomer and nanoparticle networks, rather than necessarily indicating direct reinforcement by glassy polymer bridges.[13]
In 2026, Simmons and collaborators reported that glassy polymer interphases can enhance reinforcement by promoting deformation-induced volume expansion, thereby activating a contribution from the elastomer's bulk modulus.[14] The study received broad coverage, including from Physics World, Gizmodo, and Phys.org.[15][16][17]
University governance and public commentary
Simmons became president of the USF Faculty Senate in August 2024.[18] Under Florida law, the chair of the faculty senate or equivalent serves as one of the 13 members of each public university's board of trustees.[3] Simmons therefore also serves on the USF Board of Trustees, which sets institutional policy and functions as the university's legal owner and governing board.[19]
During his Faculty Senate presidency, Simmons has been quoted by regional and national media about public higher-education policy in Florida. He raised concerns that a state review of faculty research and grant records imposed a substantial administrative burden and could be used to target politically disfavored research.[20] He also spoke against agreements allowing university police to assist federal immigration agents, arguing that they could undermine campus trust and safety.[21] In 2026, Simmons criticized Florida's temporary suspension of new H-1B visa hiring at public universities, saying that it could weaken their ability to recruit researchers and faculty.[22] He has also commented publicly on the selection of university presidents in Florida.[23]
Awards and honors
Simmons received the American Chemical Society Rubber Division's Sparks–Thomas Award in 2020.[1] The award recognizes outstanding scientific contributions and innovations in elastomers by early-career scientists, technologists, and engineers.[24]
In 2016, Simmons received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for a project using high-throughput simulation and theory to study glass formation in strongly interacting polymers.[25] His other honors include a 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, research support from the W. M. Keck Foundation, and a National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Dr. David S. Simmons". University of South Florida. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "2024 Promotion Awardees". University of South Florida College of Engineering. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Florida Statutes, section 1001.71: University boards of trustees; membership". Florida Legislature. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "David Simmons". USF Faculty Honors, Prizes, and Awards. University of South Florida. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Simmons, David S.; Cicerone, Marcus T.; Zhong, Qin; Tyagi, Madhusudan; Douglas, Jack F. (2012). "Generalized localization model of relaxation in glass-forming liquids". Soft Matter. 8 (45): 11455–11461. Bibcode:2012SMat....811455S. doi:10.1039/C2SM26694F. PMC 3563295. PMID 23393495.
- ↑ Lang, Ryan J.; Simmons, David S. (2013). "Interfacial Dynamic Length Scales in the Glass Transition of a Model Freestanding Polymer Film and Their Connection to Cooperative Motion". Macromolecules. 46 (24): 9818–9825. Bibcode:2013MaMol..46.9818L. doi:10.1021/ma401525q.
- ↑ Ghanekarade, Asieh; Phan, Anh D.; Schweizer, Kenneth S.; Simmons, David S. (2023). "Signature of collective elastic glass physics in surface-induced long-range tails in dynamical gradients". Nature Physics. 19 (6): 800–806. Bibcode:2023NatPh..19..800G. doi:10.1038/s41567-023-01995-8.
- ↑ Patra, Tarak K.; Meenakshisundaram, Venkatesh; Hung, Jui-Hsiang; Simmons, David S. (2017). "Neural-Network-Biased Genetic Algorithms for Materials Design: Evolutionary Algorithms That Learn". ACS Combinatorial Science. 19 (2): 96–107. doi:10.1021/acscombsci.6b00136. PMID 27997791.
- ↑ Meenakshisundaram, Venkatesh; Hung, Jui-Hsiang; Patra, Tarak K.; Simmons, David S. (2017). "Designing Sequence-Specific Copolymer Compatibilizers Using a Molecular-Dynamics-Simulation-Based Genetic Algorithm". Macromolecules. 50 (3): 1155–1166. Bibcode:2017MaMol..50.1155M. doi:10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01747.
- ↑ Drayer, William F.; Simmons, David S. (2022). "Sequence Effects on the Glass Transition of a Model Copolymer System". Macromolecules. 55 (14): 5926–5937. Bibcode:2022MaMol..55.5926D. doi:10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00664.
- ↑ Tulsi, Davindra K.; Simmons, David S. (2022). "Hierarchical Shape-Specified Model Polymer Nanoparticles via Copolymer Sequence Control". Macromolecules. 55 (6): 1957–1969. Bibcode:2022MaMol..55.1957T. doi:10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02215.
- ↑ Kawak, Pierre; Bhapkar, Harshad; Simmons, David S. (2024). "Central Role of Filler–Polymer Interplay in Nonlinear Reinforcement of Elastomeric Nanocomposites". Macromolecules. 57 (19): 9466–9475. arXiv:2310.18433. Bibcode:2024MaMol..57.9466K. doi:10.1021/acs.macromol.4c00489.
- ↑ Kawak, Pierre; Bhapkar, Harshad; Simmons, David S. (2025). "Origin of Heating-Induced Softening and Enthalpic Reinforcement in Elastomeric Nanocomposites". ACS Macro Letters. 14 (12): 1867–1873. arXiv:2501.06971. doi:10.1021/acsmacrolett.5c00442. PMID 41339093 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Kawak, Pierre; Bhapkar, Harshad; Simmons, David S. (2026). "Glassy interphases reinforce elastomeric nanocomposites by enhancing volume expansion under strain". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 123 (16). Bibcode:2026PNAS..12328108K. doi:10.1073/pnas.2528108123. PMC 13099608 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 41973914 Check|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|pmc-embargo-date=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ Dumé, Isabelle (19 May 2026). "Why is rubber so resilient?". Physics World. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Lee, Gayoung (16 April 2026). "After 100 Years, Engineers Finally Discover Why Rubber Is So Tough". Gizmodo. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ "Scientists solve 100-year-old mystery behind rubber that powers modern life". Phys.org. University of South Florida. 15 April 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
- ↑ Riva, Joana (2 October 2024). "USF faculty senate welcomes new president: 'A really powerful set of voices'". The Oracle. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ "Board of Trustees". University of South Florida. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Quinn, Ryan (25 April 2025). "Florida's Own DOGE Reviews Faculty Research, Grants". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Sheridan, Kerry (29 April 2025). "Faced with prospect of campus police helping ICE agents, some Florida professors speak out". WUSF. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Miller, Brittney J. (18 June 2026). "H-1B Limbo". Florida Trend. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Marsee, Lia (19 February 2025). "USF faculty and student leaders on what they want in a new president". WUSF. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ "Award Descriptions and Sponsors". Rubber Division, American Chemical Society. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ "Polymer engineer receives NSF CAREER Award to study the mystery of glassy materials". University of Akron News. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
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