(2hs) Hierarchical Control and Characterization of Synthetic and Biopolymer Materials

From their fundamental building blocks, many soft- and hard- materials have structural organization on several length-scales which are a function of their molecular structure, inter-/intra-chain interactions, spatial orientation, and material processing. Our mechanistic understanding of the interactions that occur at these different length-scales is a critical driver of progress for the development of future technologies. To-date we have made great progress towards our understanding and control of synthetic soft matter systems; however, there still exists several domains and examples where natural and biological systems greatly outperform our synthetic products. In these cases, there is much for us to learn from nature that may be applied to our synthetic processing capabilities.

Here I will discuss the relevance of hierarchical material structure and provide an overview of how we use materials science & engineering principles to investigate hierarchically complexed biological systems and synthetic polymer systems that are continuing to grow in hierarchical complexity. I will conclude my work by discussing pathways toward deeper characterization and manipulation of these uniquely assembled materials structures.

Research Interests: Functional soft matter and structurally arranged nanomaterials and material composites will play a critical role in the evolution of future science and technology. Many people rely on these advanced technologies to complete day-to-day performance tasks or to remain safe through their hazardous occupation. For the most efficient design and control of polymers and their properties, we must achieve sufficient hierarchical control of said systems and have an intimate understanding of how each length-scale of the material hierarchy influences or is influenced by the other length-scales. Nature has done this in admirable fashion through millions of years of evolution; however, our synthetic materials still have much room for growth. Additionally, many of our current synthetic polymer systems and processing methods are having negative secondary impacts on the environment and are contributing harmful side-products that our delicate ecosystem must negotiate. How can we continue to learn from nature to innovate our materials space while simultaneously lowering our toxic ecological footprint?

These are the driving motivations behind my lab’s primary research interests: 1) Polymer Engineering of ordered synthetic polymer systems for the development of sustainable functional materials for human performance and a safe society, 2) Developing the next generation of in-situ electron microscopy techniques and devices for the characterization of soft matter and other beam sensitive materials, and, 3) Exploration of biological and natural polymeric assemblies for the development of new synthetic processing methods for the synthesis of hierarchical synthetic polymer architectures.

Teaching Interests: Historically, the role of an educator has been to bridge the gap between students’ current knowledge and the content knowledge to be obtained. Today’s students have access to more tools and information via the internet than any other generation before them. We must find and put into practice – in agile fashion – new pedagogical methods and teaching instruments that better connect students to a broader societal purpose, more holistic learning experiences, and more ethical engineering practices. These are the tools that students are not able to easily acquire outside of the traditional education context.

Drawing from my research interests and extensive pedagogical experiences, I have an interest in teaching courses in materials characterization (especially soft materials), soft material imaging (especially electron microscopy), hierarchical material structure and design, intro to materials science & engineering (including freshman or senior design), engineering ethics, and STEM education topics from engineering perspective. There are very few people in the world who conduct research in in-situ/liquid phase transmission electron microscopy; therefore, I would like to be one of the few trainers of future advanced soft matter electron microscopists. This will be a focus of my lab and my teaching. Given the unique challenges associated with imaging soft and biological materials, I believe that it is important for future microscopists to learn the intricacies of imaging different types of soft materials in varying media and using various instruments. I enjoy teaching freshman design – some universities have it and some do not – and I would love to play a role in preparing young students for future experiences in research, teamwork, and teaching. Many scientists never receive formal training in teaching prior to becoming professors, simultaneously many programs do not provide tracts for students to experience significant teaching and pedagogical topics during a STEM curriculum. Students should have these options available, which drives my interests in teaching STEM education topics (i.e., pedagogy, assessment, K-12 STEM teaching and learning, communication and presentation, etc.). Finally, engineering ethics is of great importance today where student access to information is saturated. Students exercise more agency – prepared or not – in their dissemination of facts or half-truths. As content area experts, we can help guide them through responsible and ethical decision making in research, safety, practice, and in their personal lives. Empathy and understanding of the unique lived context of others in a global society are key determinants of ethical and holistically trained engineers.