Formulating Science Mobile Laboratory

Dates: February 9–10, 2026
Location: M2 Level, Astore Crowne Plaza (Elevator access only)

Course Overview:
Led by Dr. James W. Rawlins, Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering, this short course offers an in-depth exploration of surface coating formulation principles. Participants will engage in hands-on formulation practice and lectures designed to reinforce the critical relationships between structure, properties, and performance, all with a “begin with the end in mind” approach.

Course Purpose:
This course is ideal for chemists in the coatings industry seeking a comprehensive understanding of formulation science. Attendees will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to confidently formulate surface coatings.

Course Description
Coating manufacture is challenging. Often protective and decorative coatings formulations require an iterative series of ladder studies. Formulating requires raw materials knowledge, processing and preparation skills for production, math for calculations, and physics to discern hiding, loading, ratios of raw materials used with each substrate, cure profile, and environmental conditions. The short course will reinforce formulation building through mobile laboratories and lectures.

The Science of Formulating Short Courses is organized to provide 6 hands-on laboratory experiments and 6 lectures in two days delivered by 11 speakers.

Who Should Attend
This short course is a general course covering major paint and coating types presented at a fundamental technical level and is designed for entry-level chemists to the coatings industry that desire total immersion for paint and coatings production, selection, design, and development. 


2025 Short Course Instructors