Controlled Microstructure Gels

Develop Techniques

A continuing theme in my work has been to develop techniques that allow the control of the microstructure of hydrogels to achieve desired properties, especially water content (swelling), solute permeability, and mechanical properties.  For many application-oriented users of hydrogels, lack of appreciation of the means to control the microstructure of gels has led to significant issues with reproducibility of results.  The importance of control of reaction conditions to achieve desired properties is a key theme in my work that establishes its significance.