Our research focuses on the synthesis, understanding and application  of
stimuli-responsive materials, which include nanoparticles,  nanofibers, surfactants,
polymers and gels. Responsive gels, polymers  and surfactants have a wide variety of applications, for example, drug delivery, protein and environmental separations and rheology and  surface tension modification. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles (e.g. magnetic fluids) may be used in environmental, biological and chemical  separations. Surface-modified metal and metal oxide nanoparticles may  be used as catalysts in a variety of chemical reactions.

A second research area focuses on the development of electrochemical processes to facilitate chemical separations and to mediate the transformation of captured waste to useful commodity chemicals. Electrochemically-mediated separation processes are under development and investigation for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture at coal-fired power plants, for liquid fuel extraction from fermentation media, and for decontamination of waste water. Electrochemical processes are also being explored as a means to facilitate chemical sequestration of carbon dioxide. These research projects are supported by government agencies (ARPA-E and US Department of Energy) and industrial partners (Siemens Corporate Technology and Dupont-MIT Alliance).