Our research is focused on microscopic, physical understanding of the unique material properties of polymers and complex fluids.  The hallmarks of these “soft” systems are:

These features of soft systems afford unique opportunities for design of material properties, but also pose theoretical challenges.  Material design in the vast parameter space of complex fluids cannot be achieved by a strictly empirical approach, but requires conceptual understanding as well, to exploit the potential of these remarkable materials.

Interests

Current research areas include:

• ordering and crystallization in polymers
• polymer entanglement and flow behavior
• semiconducting polymers for photovoltaics
• biomimetic membranes

Methods

We employ a wide range of theoretical tools to solve problems.  Broadly speaking, we use whatever it takes.  Our computational methods include:

Since 2008, 18 research undergraduates have worked in our group, resulting in 6 honors theses and 9 published papers, including 6 with an undergraduate first author.