Research
Our research focuses on the molecular design, synthesis, and transformation of sustainable and functional polymers. By combining fundamental polymer chemistry with application-oriented materials design, we aim to uncover new principles of polymer reactivity while translating molecular-level understanding into new materials and technologies with improved sustainability and performance.
Circular Polymers
We develop molecular strategies that connect polymer synthesis, controlled deconstruction, and feedstock regeneration. Our research explores how monomer structure, backbone architecture, and reaction pathway design can be used to overcome the competing requirements of polymerizability, material stability, and chemical recyclability. The goal is to establish new polymer platforms that combine closed-loop circularity with practical materials performance.
Polymer Mechanochemistry
We investigate how mechanical force alters chemical reactivity in polymers, including both the activation of designed mechanophores and stress-induced reactions within conventional polymer backbones. Our research combines molecular design, polymer synthesis, and mechanistic studies to uncover how force is transmitted and converted into chemical change across length scales. The goal is to establish general principles for controlling polymer reactivity and function under mechanical stress.
Functional Polymer Materials
We design monomers and polymerization strategies that enable precise control over polymer architecture, composition, and functionality. We integrate precision polymer synthesis with molecular and macromolecular design to connect chemical structure with macroscopic properties. Our goal is to translate new polymer chemistry into next-generation functional and high-performance materials and ultimately explore their use in real-world applications.