Edgar A. O'Rear III

Professor
Francis W. Winn Chair of Chemical Engineering
Affiliate Professor of Research
Dental Materials
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Google Scholar

Email: eorear@ou.edu
Office: Sarkeys Energy Center, Room T-229

Education
Ph. D. Chemical (Biomedical) Engineering (1981)
Rice University
S.M. Organic Chemistry (1977)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.S. Chemistry (1975)
Rice University

Research Focus

Mechanical trauma to the blood
Encapsulated plasminogen activators
Biotransport
Admicellar polymerization
Surfactants

Experience and Awards

Regents' Award for Superior Teaching, 2018
Fellow with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers 2018
Co-founder and member, Institute for Applied Surfactant Research (1986-present)
Visiting Senior Researcher, Hitachi Central Research Laboratory, Japan (1988); Visiting Scientist RIKEN - Institute for Physical and Chemical Research, Japan (1992)
Program Director, Interfacial, Transport and Separations Program, National Science Foundation (1993-94)
Visiting Professor, Chulalongkorn University; (Summer 1995-2015); Director, University of Oklahoma Bioengineering Center (1999-2010);
Associate Dean for Research (1995-1999)
Secretary General (1992-99), Vice President (1999-2002), and President (2002-2005) of the International Society of Biorheology
Alpha Phi Omega Teaching Award 1999
Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineers
Governor’s Cup, Inventor 2008
A.I.Ch.E. Student Chapter Orifice Teaching Award 2008, 2009
Inventor of the Year Award 2009
Advisory Board, Journal of Biorheology, (2009-present)
Regents’ Award for Superior Research, 2010
Chair, University of Oklahoma Faculty Senate, 2013-14
Gallogly College of Engineering Pursuit of Excellence Faculty Award, 2016

About

My research interests are in the principal areas of surfactant science, materials and biomedical engineering. Using an interfacial polymerization process very similar to emulsion polymerization, we are modifying the surfaces of commercially important materials for composites and also exploring the technique as a means of forming unusual polymers. Our efforts focus on learning the range of versatility of the method and on characterizing materials modified with these thin polymer films. Prior work focused on functional textiles and tires while more recent work has been improving properties of concretes.

Within biomedical engineering, my students and I are interested in biotransport phenomena and particularly in biorheology. We are investigating damage to blood associated with the non-physiologic flow that occurs in some medical devices. High stresses are linked to adverse events in patients on artificial hearts and membrane oxygenators. Formation of extracellular vesicles represents a potentially more sensitive means of assessing hemocompatibility for device improvement.

Selected Publications

Detecting Erythrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Generated from Blood Pump Flow and the Challenges Encountered, K. M. Foster, A.M. El Banayosy, A. El Banyosy, H. Setiadi, V. K. Bajpai, Edgar A O’Rear, Cells 15 (7), 642, 2026.
Evolution of Model compounds and Functional Group Compositions for Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Aged Asphalt Binder, Edgar A O’Rear, L. Huang, M. Zaman, Molecules 30(22), 4476, 2025.
Sequential Admicellar Polymerization of Polyindole and Poly (vinyl Acetate) for Increasing Electrical Conductivity and Water Dispersion of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, S. Onthong, T. Pongprayoon, Edgar A O’Rear, ACS Applied Polymer Materials 7 (1), 187-99, 2025.
Blood perfusion through ventricular assist devices induces erythrocytes to interact with leukocytes (with K. M. Foster, A. M. El Banayosy, Z. Azartash-Namin, P. Coghill, Edgar A O’Rear, H. Setiadi, Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 43: 102085, 2025.
Bifunctional Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes and Their Effect on Hydration, Conductivity, and Mechanical Properties of Cement Composites, S. Onthong, W. Hanpongpun, S. Sinthupinyo, Edgar A O’Rear, T. Pongprayoon) Int J Concr Struct Mater 19, 69, 2025.
Mechanical Strength and Conductivity of Cementitious Composites with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes: To Functionalize or Not?, Edgar A O’Rear, S. Onthong, T. Pongprayoon, Nanomaterials 14(1):80, 2024.
Shear stimulated red blood cell microparticles: Effect on clot structure, flow and fibrinolysis, J. P. Buerck, K. M. Foster, P. R. Larson, Edgar A O’Rear, Biorheology 59: 43-59, 2023.
An atomistic model of aged asphalt guided by the oxidation chemistry of benzylic carbon with application to asphalt rejuvenated with a triglyceride, Q. Chang, Edgar A O’Rear, S. Ghos, M. Zaman, L. Huang, X. Wu, Constr Build Mater 400: 132743, 2023.
Composite nanoarchitectonics by interfacial bonding for conductivity and strength development of grafted multiwall carbon nanotube/cement, S. Onthong, Edgar A O’Rear, T. Pongprayoon, Constr Build Mater 392: 131940, 2023.
Enhancement of electrically conductive network structure in cementitious composites by polymer hybrid-coated multiwalled carbon nanotube, S. Onthong, Edgar A O’Rear, T. Pongprayoon, Materials and Structures, 55 (9), 1-19, 2022