The Department of Chemical Engineering > Materials Engineering & Nanotechnology

Research

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Polymer Nanocomposites and Interfacial Engineering in the Green Group We synthesize polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), a novel class of multifunctional materials that are used in a variety of applications including high-tech fabrics, advanced optics, and enhanced photovoltaics. Optimization of PNC properties requires fine control over the interactions of hard nanoparticles or soft polymer droplets, which we tune by grafting polymers to their interfaces. Available projects focus on controlling the stretching of the graft polymer to increase nanoparticle or droplet interactions to develop new high strength, lightweight PNCs for biomedical, aerospace, and military applications. [Prof. Green’s Faculty Page]
Biomaterials Research in the Kwon Group Regeneration of new tissues or organs in vitro, so called ‘tissue engineering’, has been widely explored to address shortage of organs for transplantation to people suffer from various diseases due to organ failures. In order to achieve regeneration of tissues in vitro, development of a suitable biomaterial upon which cells can be supported and grow is critical. Ideal biomaterials should meet several requirements, including biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, functional customization, low toxicity, nano-scale structure, non-immunogenicity and efficient adhesion to cells. [Prof. Kwon’s Faculty Page]

Solid State Materials Research in the McIntosh Group

Atomic Force Microscope image of clusters of oxide nanoparticle catalyst on a solid oxide fuel cell cathode material.

Ion and electron conducting oxide materials find application in many emerging technologies including fuel cell, electrolysis cells, membrane reactors and sensors. Current projects in the McIntosh group are developing mixed oxygen anion/electron conductors and new solid state proton conductors. Our approach is to create materials that facilitate both ion/electron transport and enhance surface electrocatalysis. Materials are fabricated and tested using both traditional ceramics processing techniques and soft-chemistry approaches to electrode nanostructuring and nanoparticle fabrication.
[Prof. McIntosh’s Faculty Page]

Catalytic Materials Research in the Neurock Group

Our research program is focused on modeling the atomic features and molecular phenomena that govern catalysis and materials processing. The performance of these materials depends on their atomic surface structure and composition. We are using computational chemistry and molecular reaction modeling to examine the properties and performance for a wide range of different material including metals, bimetallics, metal oxides and zeolites for their use as heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic electrodes for fuel cells, and magnetic materials for memory device fabrication.

[Prof. Neurock’s Faculty Page]