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Soft materials and Rheology Group Laboratory Overview We are broadly interested polymers, interfaces, smart
materials, buckling phenomena, emulsions, colloids, and the rheology of
complex materials. Download
an overview poster of our research activities. A brief description of each project is below. Click topics on
right for more details. à Interfacially-active particles Partially-wetting particles can be interfacially-active at
oil/water interfaces. We find that particles can also adsorb at the interface
between two polymers. Indeed, they can sometimes adsorb at two interfaces
leading to bridging of drops of an immiscible polymer blend into clusters. We
are exploring the flow-induced morphology of such clusters, and the rheology
of corresponding particle-containing blends. This research is supported by
the National Science Foundation. Read
more… Natural and synthetic
papillae Some cephalopods such as
some species of cuttlefish and octopus show remarkable camouflage abilities.
Apart from changing color, they can also change the texture of their skin
from being smooth to being rough and bumpy. This is done by expressing
structures called papillae. In collaboration with Prof. Roger Hanlon from the
Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, we are examining the
biomechanics of papillae expression. We are also devising methods of
replicating synthetic papillae in the lab with an aim to creating
reversibly-texturing surfaces. This research, which is a
collaboration with Dr. Roger
Hanlon, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, is supported
by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Read
more… Closely related to the research on papillae is a broader
interest in buckling phenomena. We are developing simulation methods to
predict complex buckling phenomena. We are examining swelling-induced fold
formation in polymer films attached to substrates. We also hope to use
buckling phenomena to measure the mechanical properties of thin films,
specifically, reactively generated compatibilizers at interfaces. This
research is supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
Read more… Microfluidic particle generation Microfluidics research has developed methods to make particles
complex shape or chemical anisotropy using microfluidic devices. Usually such
particle synthesis requires crosslinkable monomers.
We are looking to make such complex particles out of molten polymers. The
necessity of working with high viscosity fluids and at high temperatures
requires entirely new ways of fluids handling. Read
more… A long standing interest has been polymer blends, and the
effect of block copolymer compatibilizers in polymer blends. Most recently we
have examined multifunctional compatibilizers that crosslink the interface
between immiscible polymers. We are also exploring the viscoelastic
characteristics of hydrogels derived from
extracellular matrix proteins. Prof. Badylak
(McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine) is developing such gels for
tissue-engineering applications. In collaboration with Prof. Sanford Asher
(Chemistry Dept) we are developing new methods of fabricating 2D photonic
crystals. Read more… Questions, Suggestions,
Comments? Send e-mail to velankar@pitt.edu
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Current projects Interfacially-active
particles Natural and
synthetic papillae
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