The main focus of our research group is soft-materials at surfaces and interfaces. The physics of soft materials is distinct from hard matter as the weaker intermolecular bonds result in a large response to external stresses. We study mainly polymeric materials, but also biomaterials like DNA molecules and living cells. Polymers are ubiquitous in their use, from basic plastic components and packaging materials, to biomaterials and display technologies. Understanding the material properties at a fundamental level, is crucial to the development of new technologies. One surprising aspect of these materials is that on the nano-scale, like thin films or coatings, they can have properties that differ vastly from those of bulk systems. Specifically, thin film properties differ from the bulk for several reasons: for a given volume of material there is much more surface or interface in these systems when compared to the bulk, but also the large macromolecules become confined.

Specific areas of current research are: cell adhesion at polymer interfaces, DNA confinement, polymer crystallinity, polymer entanglement, polymers at surfaces and interfaces, confinement effects in thin polymer films, pattern formation and self-assembly, phase-separation, glass transition, laser patterning, fluid instabilities.

Prospective students? please read my letter to prospective graduate students, and feel free to contact me