Research Areas
Polymer Reaction Engineering
Nonlinear Polymerization Modeling
Summary
In spite of the early advances made by Flory in deciphering the mechanistic progression of nonlinear polymerization, obtaining a proper understanding of the dynamic changes in polymer property distribution that accompany gelation could not be obtained because of modeling limitations. Most modeling approaches used break down at the gel point because of the divergence of the higher moments of the distribution. Various approximations were proposed but failed to provide realistic results beyond the gel point.
High Temperature Polymerization
Summary
The phenomena occurring in solution and bulk polymerizations conducted at high temperatures (>~200 °C) are quite different from those known at moderate temperatures. Backbiting and scission reactions dominate, and termination reactions have less impact on the shaping of the molecular weight distribution and the polymer properties. Polymer products made at these temperatures generally show a low molecular weight multimodal distribution dominated by the presence of various oligomeric products resulting from chain scission.
Polymers for Medical and Healthcare Applications
Hydrogels and Hydrogel Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery
Summary
In recent years I have used the expertise I have developed in polymer reaction engineering, especially the NF technique, in modeling of polymer production for biomedical applications. Of prime interest to my work is the formation of hydrogels, and hydrogel nanoparticles used as scaffolds, and biomaterials for angiogenesis, wound healing and controlled delivery.
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Complex Systems and Complexity
The Use of Intelligent Autonomous Agent-Based Systems for Monitoring and Control
Summary
One other area of prime interest to my research is the understanding of complexity and complex dynamical systems. I have made several contributions in complex system research over the years, but recently turned my attention to the use of intelligent autonomous agents for monitoring and control of distributed and networked processes.
Systems of Multiple Autocatalytic Replicators
Summary
A special class of complex systems of interest to my research are the autocatalytic reactions that were introduced by Gray and Scott in 1983 and used as a paradigm for complex systems in isothermal conditions. I have introduced, with various collaborators, the concept of networks of multiple competing autocatalators existing and interacting in networks of reactors.
