(469b) Synergistic Assembly of Hierarchical Biomaterials for Sustainable Technologies

In order to advance sustainable design in next-generation technologies, programmable assembly of polymers at multiscale is crucial. However, complex architectures created by assembling natural and synthetic polymers remain challenging and typically require complex machinery or chemical processes. To address this issue and facilitate complex materials innovation using less intensive fabrication methods, my research focuses on materials structures innovation using environmental stimuli-responsive processing. I aim to answer fundamental questions, such as: How can we control materials structures on demand using environmental stimuli at multiscale? What is the relationship between stressor-response-structure-property nexus of biomaterials? Additionally, I plan to address practical questions such as: How can we apply established rules for complex materials innovation and low intensity manufacturing at multiscale?

My goals include establishing a roadmap for complex structures that respond and adapt to environmental stressors on-demand, constructing environment-enabled fabrication methods for lower intensity, and extending the capabilities of biomaterials in biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental technologies. My previous and ongoing research focuses on hierarchical structures and responsive materials, and includes the development of self- and synergistic assembly techniques for inorganic materials, natural and synthetic polymers. For instance, my team demonstrated a silk-based microencapsulation technique that could replace open use microplastics in agriculture and cosmetics. We also established a general platform for polymeric hierarchical structures that enhance adhesion on soft surfaces and designed vertically-aligned graphene filtration membranes that show improved stability and transport performance. Building on my expertise in inorganic and organic materials fabrication and their environmental applications, I intend to invest in a new area of biomaterials innovation for sustainable technologies.