Women of NASA Langley Profiles
Dr. Catharine C. Fay
![[Catharine Fay's photo (3/99)]](larc-ccf.jpg)
My official job title is aerospace technologist, Chemical Engineer,
polymeric materials researcher. I think "polymeric materials researcher"
most accurately describes what I do. I develop new polymers (plastics) for
aerospace and space applications. These new polymers can be combined with
carbon fibers to make structural components on planes and space vehicles.
They can be used as adhesives (glues) to hold parts together. I make polymer
films that may be useful in shielding instrumentation launched into space
from harmful environmental effects. Often, I develop a new material with
a space application in mind and find it is also useful in another application-like
a photoresist or as a protective coating for electronic circuits. Once I
make these new polymers, I need to know what properties they possess. How
strong are they? Are they stiff or flexible? If I apply heat, will they
soften or will they decompose? What will happen to them in the water, or
in the sunlight, or if they were launched into orbit?
The most exciting thing about my job is that I get to do lots of different
things. I get to design the materials (I choose the "ingredients" that will
produce the best properties for the application). I test the materials.
I assist in their potential application. I may work with a company who puts
the material in a device or I may get to put a material on an experiment
tray that flies on the Space Shuttle so I can determine if it would be durable
in space. I also get to write up my scientific results and submit them to
a technical journal. I am a published author in such journals as Journal
of Applied Polymer Science, High Performance Polymers, and the Journal of
Plastic Film and Sheeting. I also get to present research to the community.
I was a little nervous at my first presentation, probably because there
was about 300-400 people listening but after the first few slides, I enjoyed
it. People in the audience respected my efforts and were interested in my
research and that was really important. I also have some US Patents for
novel polyimide fibers, films and extruded parts.
I liked chemistry in high school and decided to pursue it in college (B.S.
Chemistry from Virginia Tech.) My first job as a chemist enabled me to develop
materials for aerospace and space applications. I evaluated new materials
for electrical wire insulation on aircraft, developed new resins for structural
composites, and fabricated polymers for microelectronics applications. Since
I really enjoyed my job, I thought graduate school courses in polymer chemistry
would help me do my job better. I took classes while working full time -
it was tough and I didn't have a lot of free time but it was worth it. I
received two graduate degrees, a M.S. and Ph.D. Degree (from the College
of William and Mary) in Applied Science-Polymer Chemistry and Composite
Materials.
I don't think I had a childhood interest in being "Ms. Wizard" but I certainly
like it now. I particularly like the expression I see on children's faces
when I can mix materials together and make them glow in the dark or when
I make liquids change colors every 5 seconds from green to red and back
again, like the traffic light. "Slime" has always been a favorite as well,
especially with a little bit of green food coloring added. "Slime" is a
polymer but it does not have utility on airplanes or space vehicles so I
only make it for Engineers Week.
Chemistry is all around us and I think that's why I like science. It's in
the food we eat. Fresh fruits and vegetables year round, packaging that
stops spoilage, and super productive farms are all the result of food chemistry.
It's in the clothes we wear, fire-resistant suits, bright colors, protection
from the heat and cold, adsorbent diapers, space suits, and bullet proof
fabrics. Sport equipment-athletic shoes, basketballs, tennis rackets, sailboats,
skis, helmets, and goggles are all triumphs of modern chemistry. The medicine
we take such as aspirin, insulin, penicillin, and vaccines that have eliminated
childhood diseases such as polio and small pox are made using chemistry.
Protecting our planet, developing cleaner and more efficient sources of
energy, and inventing new processes for recycling are made possible through
chemistry.
Good at math and science? I was good in math and science because I studied
and tried to learn it rather than memorize it. I was not very good at memorization
anyway. Do not be discouraged if you are not good at math and science now.
If you work hard, you can become good at it. Keep in mind, too, there are
many different math (algebra, geometry, calculus...) and science (biology,
chemistry, physics...) subjects. You may excel at some and not at others.
You may even excel in some but don't particularly enjoy them or get excited
about learning them. Keep trying!
Some of the things I enjoy doing outside of work include mountain biking,
hiking, swimming, volleyball, water skiing, and cooking. I mountain bike
more than the other activities mentioned but I enjoy almost any activity
outdoors.
JANUARY 2004 |
