UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The 2020 Richard E. Tressler Lecture in Materials will be held at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in 101 Chambers Building at University Park. Lawrence F. Hancock, founder and CEO of Akita Innovations, will deliver the lecture “Materials Science at Akita Innovations” and receive the 2020 R.E. Tressler Award.

Hancock’s lecture will focus on development efforts at Akita including laser line absorbing dyes, fluorophores that enable biologists to measure cell membrane potential, oleophobic anti-fog coatings for protective eyewear and stabilized oxidants for bioagent defeat munitions.

Akita develops new materials technologies, processes and products for commercial and government customers. The company focuses on optical materials with defined and triggerable light emitting or absorbing characteristics, high performance surface treatments and coatings and the production and modification of micro- and nanoparticles with improved performance and stability. 

Hancock has over 20 years of experience in research, development and commercialization of emerging materials technologies. He has a diverse background in applied polymer science. Before founding Akita, Hancock served in leadership roles with FLIR Systems, a world leader in thermal imaging cameras, components and sensors.

Hancock received his bachelor's and doctoral degrees in polymer science engineering from Penn State.

This year, two recipients will receive the R.E. Tressler Award. Along with Hancock, Melissa Hockstad, president and CEO of the American Cleaning Institute, will receive her award on March 19.

The award honors the work and contributions of Richard E. Tressler, who was an international leader in the development of high temperature materials and served as head of Penn State's Department of Materials Science and Engineering from 1991 to 2001. 

The lecture is free and open to the public.