(6fb) Design of Functional Soft Materials for a Sustainable Future

A unifying fundamental element of my research will be the harnessing of anisometric interactions in soft matter to achieve new functions. I seek to use orientation-dependent interactions to modulate self-assembly, photonic properties and active transport processes. These interactions will also be employed in detection mechanisms to create a range of biologically and technologically relevant soft materials. These materials include biomimetic photonic structures, biosensors and materials for guided active transport. The work is inspired by the observation that anisometric interactions are common in biological systems, including underlying the organization of exoskeletons of beetles/butterflies, protein-protein interactions and in biological membrane organization. In contrast, relatively few forms of synthetic soft matter have been explored based on anisometric interactions, particularly for control of self-assembly and for modulating transport properties.

My graduate research at Georgia Institute of Technology primarily focused on optical and spectroscopic characterization of the order and molecular configurations of anisotropic fluids under different confining geometries, including toroidal shapes stabilized by yield stress fluids. Specifically, I discovered achiral symmetry breaking of liquid crystals leading to the formation of exotic doubly-twisted configurations when confined to cylinders and toroids. Further, I carried out theoretical and experimental studies on characterizing the order in soft materials using polarized Raman spectroscopy.

My current research as a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University focuses on fundamental insights into coupling of strain in soft colloids including cell membranes with complex fluids. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how health of cell membranes is linked to the phenomenology that emerge from the coupling of internal organization, mechanical properties and shape in response to strain. In addition, I am also developing mechanisms to control directional propulsion in active systems by utilizing novel interactions between dispersed and continuous phases.

My expertise in liquid crystals, imaging and scattering techniques as well as my experience in nanomaterial synthesis and functionalization will position my group to undertake synergistic efforts in design, characterization and fabrication to develop these next-generation materials. These ideas are illustrated by the three initial research themes for my laboratory including 1) Anisotropic fluids as functional materials to interface with biological systems 2) Sustainable bio-materials by controlled self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals 3) Environmental remediation using active transport. I will pursue collaborations with mathematicians, epidemiologists and chemists, leading to a convergence of ideas and tools to address challenges from a wide range of contexts. I believe this approach will also attract a host of funding opportunities. Building upon concepts in soft matter physics, my group will create a range of functional materials with programmed architectures and properties, guided by the challenge of addressing global societal challenges.

Selected Publications (15 total, 2 in preparation)

1) Liquid Crystals with Interfacial Ordering that Enhances Responsiveness to Chemical Targets.
K. Nayani, P. Rai, N. Bao, H. Yu, M. Mavrikakis, R. J. Twieg, N. L. Abbott. Advanced Materials, 1706707 (2018)

2) Chiral Interactions in Liquid Crystals.
K. Nayani, Y. K. Kim, N. L. Abbott. Nature Materials, 17 (1), 14 (2018)

3) Using Chiral Tactoids as Optical Probes to Study the Aggregation Behavior of Chromonics.
K. Nayani, J. Fu, R. Chang, J. O. Park, M. Srinivasarao. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, 114, 3826 (2017)

4) Spontaneous Emergence of Chirality in Achiral Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystals Confined to Cylinders.
K. Nayani, R. Chang, J. Fu, P. W Ellis, A. Fernandez-Nieves, J. O. Park, M. Srinivasarao. Nature Communications, 6, 8067 (2015)

5) Curvature-Induced Twist in Homeotropic Nematic Tori.
P. W. Ellis*, K. Nayani*, J. P. McInerney, Z. Rocklin, E. Matsumoto, M. Srinivasarao, A. Fernandez-Nieves. Physical Review Letters, 121, 247803 (2018) (*Equal Contribution)

Teaching Interests:

In addition to dissemination of knowledge, professors play a critical role in educating students by enabling independent critical thinking, invoking curiosity and, crucially, teaching effective communication of science. These responsibilities and roles are increasingly necessary to push back on a rising anti-science rhetoric among many populations in the US. My teaching philosophy, regardless of the particular subject matter, will be guided by methods that maximize student involvement in the learning process. The approach includes collaborative projects and group assignments that enable students to enrich their understanding through discussions and also promote development of skills in effective communication of science. Furthermore, discussion-enabled and curiosity-driven thinking will help develop inquisitiveness and deeper thinking in contexts that extend beyond science. I am comfortable teaching transport phenomena, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, polymer physics, and colloidal/ interfacial phenomena. I intend to develop a course on scaling concepts for soft matter physics.