Stephanie Kwolek – Biography, Facts

Inventions and discoveries have been prevalent for ages. People spend their life researching things and coming up with discoveries that have made life for mankind easier. From the light bulb to the telephone, computers to smartphones, inventions in science have pervaded all walks of life. In fact, some inventions have reformed and offered a new lease of life to people. 

Stephanie Kwolek is one such Polish-American scientist who discovered the super fibre called Kevlar. Learn more about Stephanie Kwolek inventions and other facts that will enrich your knowledge of her.

Early Life

Stephanie Kwolek’s biography can be understood by knowing more about her early life. She was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, USA. Her father died when she was 10 years old, and he was a naturalist by profession. She spent a lot of time exploring the woods, fields and nature and had a collection of leaves, seeds, grass and wildflowers in her scrapbook, along with their description. Her mother, who was a homemaker until her father died, taught her the skills of fabric and sewing. The influence of her mother was such that Stephanie, at one point, dreamt of being a fashion designer. However, her mother dissuaded her from following that dream as she was a perfectionist and did not think Stephanie would be able to survive the competition in the world of fashion. Later, Stephanie became interested in teaching, chemistry and medicine. 

Further Education and Work

Stephanie graduated from Margaret Morrison Carnegie College ( Women’s College) of Carnegie Mellon University and applied for the post of chemist with the DuPont company. She was interviewed by W. Hale Charch, a Research Director who had invented the process of making waterproof cellophane. The interview was a memorable one for Stephanie. When Charch mentioned that they would get back to her about her status in two weeks, Stephanie requested him to get back sooner as she had other lucrative offers. Charch called out to his secretary and got her to dictate an offer letter to Stephanie right then. Later on, she guessed that it was her assertive nature that secured her the job. She was so inspired by the polymer research in her job at DuPont that she dropped her plans to practice medicine and decided to adopt chemistry as her career.

She was involved in several projects that included a search for new polymers and a new condensation process that could take place at low temperatures- from 0 degrees to 40 degrees. This melting condensation polymerisation process used in making nylon was conducted at more than 200 degrees. The lower temperature polycondensation process that used fast-reacting intermediates helped to prepare polymers which could not be melted and decomposed at temperatures above 400 degrees.

In 1965, Stephanie developed the first family of synthetic fibres that were of incomparable strength and stiffness. The most known is Kevlar, a material that is used in protective vests, aeroplanes, boats, cables, ropes and a lot more. It has about 200 applications.

Journey of Her Inventions

When Kwolek was in her 40’s, she was assigned by DuPont the job of scouting for the next generation of fibres that would be able to perform in extreme conditions. The assignment required her to prepare intermediates, synthesise aromatic polyamides with high molecular weight, dissolve them in solvents and then spin the solution into the fibre. She discovered that a large number of molecules in these polyamides would line up parallelly under certain conditions and form into liquid crystalline solutions. These solutions could then be spun directly into oriented fibres of good strength and quality. These solutions were fluid, turbid, resembled buttermilk and became opaque when stirred. The person in charge of spinning refused to spin the solution, fearing that the turbidity caused by particles would block the holes in the spinneret. However, when he did so on persuasion, stiff fibres rolled out with no difficulty when he did so on persuasion. Following this, many fibres were formed from the liquid crystalline solutions that included the yellow Kevlar fibre.

Kevlar has been a breakthrough invention which serves as lightweight body armour and shield for people in the armed forces and security services. It serves as a bulletproof vest. Kevlar also transmits messages across the ocean and sea and protects the under-the-sea optical fibre cable. Kevlar helps to suspend bridges with ropes that are robust and strong. It is also used for several applications, from protective clothing for scientists and sportsmen and also drum heads, frying pans and canoes.

Recognition

Kwolek has received several awards for the invention of the technology behind the Kevlar fibre. She was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1994 and is the fourth woman member out of the 113 members at that time. She received the National Medal of Technology in 1996 and the Perkin Medal in 1997, which the Society of Chemical Industry presented. In 2003, she was absorbed into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

Conclusion

Kwolek retired from DuPont as a research associate. Towards the end of her life, she served as a consultant for DuPont and also served on the National Research Council and the National Academy of Sciences. She was dedicated to the field of research, and in her service of 40 years as a Research Scientist, she filed and received about 28 patents. She tutored students in chemistry and wrote numerous demonstrations that are used in classrooms today. Kwolek died at the age of 90 in 2014.

Stephanie Kwolek facts and life is an inspiration to all those youngsters who aspire to conduct breakthrough experiments and contribute to the list of inventions that will make a world of difference in everyday lives.