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Precise and economical
fabrication of complex functional structures at nanometer and micrometer
scales presents an essential opportunity for many advanced technologies and
related sciences. Our overall
research goal is to extend the knowledge and methodology in the studies of
polymer and colloid self-assembly to help solve problems in these
technologically demanding areas. Our
current research focuses on the fundamental issues surrounding the use of
novel polymer and colloid-based building blocks and processing techniques
to develop new self-assembled materials which can address grand materials
challenges faced in various frontier research areas. Below are brief descriptions of
some of our current research projects. The names of the graduate
investigators associated with individual projects are given in the
parenthesis:
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"Laterally-Mobile
Mixed Polyelectrolyte/Polymer Brushes" (Kevin N. Witte)
Understanding
the behavior of polymers end-grafted to a surface is fundamental to many
technological applications of polymers, including colloidal stabilization,
membrane surface modification, ion-exchange adsorbents, lubricative
coating, and the creation of surfaces with externally tunable
properties. In this project, using a combined theoretical and
experimental approach, we investigate novel mixed polymer brush systems,
namely, the mixed brushes composed of laterally-mobile polyelectrolyte and
non-charged polymer chains. This novel mixed brush system offers
previously unavailable opportunities (i) to produce mesoscopic surface
patterns of various length scales by long-range-frustrated lateral phase
separation between the two chain types and (ii) to create functional
interfaces with surface properties switchable between charged and
non-charged states.
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"Multicomponent
Polymer/Micelle-Based Gene Delivery" (Rahul Sharma, Dana J. Gary)
 Gene therapy holds great promise
as a treatment for genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell
anemia, and Huntingtons disease. However, a method for safe and
efficient in vivo gene delivery into the targeted cells is presently a
major limiting factor. Our interdisciplinary collaborative research
efforts currently explore new approaches for improving in vivo DNA/siRNA
delivery using two new classes of polymeric materials: (i) triblock
copolymer micelle nanoparticles, and (ii) intracellularly degradable
polycations.
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"Guided
Assembly of Colloids at Solid-Liquid and Liquid-Gas Interfaces" (Jaehyun Hur)
 High-quality two-dimensional (2D)
colloid crystals have potential utility in many technological applications,
for instance, as surface templates for epitaxially growing 3D colloid
photonic crystals, as structural elements for modulating the surface
plasmon properties of materials, and as mold structures for fabricating
microlens. Therefore, precise and economical fabrication of 2D
colloid crystals presents essential opportunities for advancement of these
technologies. In this project, we explore a new method of fabricating
highly-ordered 2D colloid crystals with non-closed-packed symmetries with
unprecedented efficiency and precision.
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