Stephanie Liffland

Dr. Liffland specializes in the synthesis, characterization, and mechanical behavior of polymeric materials, including adhesives, elastomers, and rigid plastics, with an emphasis on material structure-property relationships. She leverages her broad knowledge of the chemical and physical behavior of polymers to support clients throughout the product development process, from conceptualization and material selection to failure analysis and root cause investigations. Dr. Liffland routinely applies her materials science skills across an array of industries that utilize synthetic materials, including consumer products, medical devices, batteries, consumer electronics, and construction. 

Trained as a chemist, Dr. Liffland has extensive experience in small molecule organic synthesis as well as a variety of controlled polymerization methods and characterization techniques including, NMR, UV-Vis, FTIR, GC-MS, and both small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering. She also has broad experience with polymer characterization techniques to probe thermal and mechanical performance such as such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and oscillatory rheology. 

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Liffland obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where she led interdisciplinary work on the development of high-performance sustainable materials as a member of the Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP). Her research at UMN centered on the design, synthesis, and characterization of aliphatic polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers with a focus on the impact of polymer architecture on material performance.