Polymer

Synthetic polymer chemistry towards functional, sustainable polymers and polymer nanocomposites enables judicious combinations of new materials with novel properties.  We have a comprehensive suite of polymer characterization facilities to target emerging polymer research programs ranging from biomedical applications, to nanoparticles, and energy storage devices.

Brian Benicewicz

"We design and synthesize new functional polymers to study structure-property relationships in polymer nanocomposites and fuel cell-membrane applications."

Junfeng Chen

"The central research areas of our group are the innovation of novel synthetic strategies to access sequence-controlled polymers and the development of high-throughput, automated methodologies for polymer materials. We are particularly interested in studying the supramolecular behaviors of these materials, including polymer folding, assembly, and interactions with other molecules. These investigations drive the development of polymer-based artificial enzymes, polymer therapeutics, and advancements in polymer sustainability."

Ting Ge

"We study the conformations and dynamics of macromolecules and the material properties such as mechanical and rheological properties of polymeric materials. We combine computer simulations and microscopic theories to understand the relations between microscopic parameters and macroscopic response. "

Ken Shimizu

"We make molecular devices such a molecular rotors, switches, and balances.  One application for the devices is to measure weak non-covalent interactions.  We also make molecularly-imprinted polymers for sensing and separation applications."

Morgan Stefik

"We are developing new polymer-based methods to control the fabrication of advanced nanomaterials.  Our work spans from molecules to devices where the novel material chemistries we develop are taken from concept through to functioning devices such as fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors, photovoltaics, and solar fuels."

Chuanbing Tang

"We focus on the synthesis of advanced functional polymeric materials, including sustainable chemicals and polymers from biomass, organometallics and metallopolymers, and polymers for biomedical applications, and energy storage."

Qian Wang

"Our research is focused on bioconjugation chemistry and biomaterials development.  We are exploring novel synthetic and biological methods in order to create materials and functionalities at the nanometer scale."