About the Invention

Polymers are long chains of repeating units that determine the characteristics of objects like plastics and even our food. In fact, the word "poly" comes from the Greek word "many," and "mer" means parts; a Perfect term for a structure that looks like a long strand of identical pearls in a necklace. Every time we hold a foam take-out coffee cup in our hand we are holding a polymer. Even chewing gum is a polymer!

Who would guess that polymers could help to protect divers from hypothermia? That is exactly what Chemical Engineer Inna Dolgopolsky accomplished when she invented a diving suit using polymers. The diving suit was patented in the USSR in 1989, where Inna worked at the time.

Inna "creates" with polymers. In addition to the diving suit, she has invented a new, safer process for polyurethane production called EM Technology, which reduces the risk of fire in the polyurethane foam manufacturing process. She has also created polyurethane foam with energy-absorbing properties for automotive interiors that protect against head injuries, and a group of novel foam materials for automotive interiors.

About the Inventor

The events of the last few years have molded Inna Dolgopolsky into a different person. Born in the Ukraine and trained as a Chemical Engineer at the Moscow Academy of Fine Chemical Technology, Inna arrived in Canada in 1994. The next six years were very busy for her. Not only did Inna and her colleague invent a new process for polyurethane foam production, but she also received a Masters of Engineering from McMaster University in 1997 and had a baby daughter in 2000! What a wonderful way to start the millennium.

Her work with polymers and plastics earned Inna the 2000 Pace Award Honourable Mention from EM Technology. Inna says that her family has always supported her initiatives "even when they expected nothing but problems."

Her advice to budding inventors - "Give yourself a chance, don't allow anyone to put you down."