Walter Brenner


Walter Brenner was an Austrian-American professor of chemical engineering and inventor. He also authored a number of patents, technical papers, magazine articles, and books. Brenner is recognized as having pioneered the development of high energy ionizing radiation for polymers to be used for industrial, aerospace, medical, and consumer applications. He died in December 2017 at the age of 94.

Early life and education

Brenner was born in Vienna, Austria in July 1923. In 1938, the Brenner family was forced to leave Austria to escape the Nazi occupation. He attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn, NY, and in 1940 was admitted to the City University of New York where he graduated with a BA in chemical engineering. In 1943, Brenner served in the U.S. military, achieving the rank of technical sergeant and remained in the service until 1945. When he completed his service in the military, Brenner attended the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn where he earned his Master's degree and later his doctorate in chemical engineering studying under the renowned Donald Othmer.

Career

Brenner served as a full professor at New York University for over 25 years teaching chemical engineering. He taught in the uptown Bronx campus and later in the downtown Greenwich Village campus. Brenner’s expertise led him to become a consultant working for many different companies, institutions, branches of the government and military over his professional career.
In 1976, Brenner and his son James co-founded a polymer formulation company called Master Bond Inc. Brenner developed specialty systems including adhesives, sealants, coatings, and encapsulants that are primarily epoxy-based. Additionally, Master Bond produces silicone, polysulfide, polyurethane, and UV light curing systems.

Selected publications

Books