Our current research focuses primarily on theory and computation in the area of polymer physics. The overall scope of the research is broad, including equilibrium, non-equilibrium, and dynamic properties of both synthetic polymers and DNA. A major focus of our research is self-assembly of block polymer melts, taking advantage of self-consistent field theory to predict the free energy and morphology of nanostructured materials. We have also investigated how these systems reach equilibrium through chain exchange, both in dilute solutions and dense melts, using molecular dynamics simulations and advanced sampling methods. We are also engaged in research on the use of block polymers as compatibilizers for plastic recycling, where we have focused on both thermodynamic questions related to the interfacial tension and non-equilibrium mechanical properties. The biophysics part of the group is presently studying the structure of DNA in bacteria, which builds on our prior work on the properties of nanochannel-confined DNA, and cell-matrix interactions. Overall, research in the group is highly collaborative, including theory-focused groups and experimentalists, both at the University of Minnesota and beyond.
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