John Torkelson's research relates to dynamics and diffusion in bulk polymers, thin films and coatings; polymerization reaction engineering; and blends and composites; including diffusion behavior of small molecules in polymers near the glass transition, and visualizing diffusion of single molecules in polymers over distances of tens of nanometers. He is also investigating reaction runaway in free radical polymerization, developing new fiber-optic-based fluorescence methods for monitoring cure in resin transfer molding, and studying a new continuous process, solid-state shear pulverization.