We focus on the molecular-level understanding of polymer structure and dynamics. Of particular interest are block polymers that assemble into predictable nanostructures, either in solution (micelles, gels, microemulsions) or in bulk. Practical applications include: improved vehicles for drug delivery, membranes with high modulus and high mobility, dielectrics for plastic electronics, and materials that are biodegradable and environmentally benign. A host of analytical techniques are employed, including structural probes, such as scattering of light, X-rays, and neutrons, as well as electron microscopy. Measurements of collective dynamics, by dynamic light scattering and rheology, are also routinely pursued. Methods of controlled polymerization are utilized extensively, including anionic polymerization, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The overall scientific challenge is to understand how the thermodynamic and kinetic interactions among the components control both structure and dynamics.

Areas of Research

Polymer ion gels                    Micelle and vesicle equilbration                    Thermogelation of cellulose ethers

Polyolefin blends                   Storage and release from particles               Glycopolymer-DNA complexes for gene delivery