Research Activities
We investigates well-defined polymer-based molecular materials with pre-defined functionality, composition, and molecular architecture. Our particular focus is on materials with tunable properties that are stimuli-responsive. Such "smart" materials have the unique ability to adapt to their surrounding environment by dramatically changing their physiochemical properties upon responding to an external stimulus (e.g., pH, redox, light, mechanical force, temperature, magnetic/electric field, etc.). With the development of a powerful synthetic toolbox, we are extending and pushing the current limits of polymer chemistry. Potential target applications include controlled and targeted drug delivery, surface modification, the synthesis of self-healing materials for photovoltaics, carbon-di-oxide capture and recycling, and multi-stimuli responsive polymer for biomedical applications.
In a nutshell, we are working on innovative materials as key elements for healthcare, sustainability and energy applications.
Sounds interesting? Explore our Research to learn more.....
(a) Sustainable Polymers
Plastics have been an integral part of almost every industrial sector in modern society. However, a majority these plastics materials are non-degradable. This hugely contributes to plastic pollution and environmental distress worldwide. Additionally, most of the plastics used currently do not support towards a sustainable circular economy. Sustainable development goals include using renewable, waste, or recycled feedstock that can be reprocessed, chemically recycled, or biodegraded at the end of its lifetime.
One of the primary goal of our research group is to use naturally available materials to develop bio-derived and biodegradable polymers, that can be reprocessed, chemically recycled, or biodegraded at the end of its lifetime, contributing to a circular economy.
(b) Smart Biomaterials
Macromolecules bearing precisely placed functionalities have played an integral role in the advancement of biomedical engineering and drug delivery technology. Based on the extensive research and development carried out in the last decade, future advances in biomedical engineering and drug delivery are predicted to rely on the rational design of polymers tailored for specific cargo and engineered to exert distinct biological functions.
Our research focus is to develop bio-inspired macromolecules based on bio-sourced molecules/ monomers bearing precisely placed pendant functionalities for the construction of targeted drug delivery vehicle, anti-protein fouling coating material and multi-stimuli responsive sensors/actuators.
(c) CO2 Capture and Utilization
From the onset of the industrial revolution in the 19th century, the vast majority of energy (up to 80 percent) needed daily to power global business, industry, recreation, and general quality of life are provided by fossil fuels ̶ coal, oil, and natural gas. But, fossil fuels contributes immensely to pollute the environment. Climate change resulting from the emission of CO2 has become widespread concern in recent years. Thus, reducing CO2 emissions has emerged as a major environmental challenge.
One of the primary goal of our research group is to develop novel porous materials for CO2 capture, storage and in situ conversion of the captured CO2 to value added materials, inclduing but not limited to biodegradable food grade plastic
(d) Energy Storage Technologies
In recent times, global warming is one of the most critical issues with the excess use of fossil fuels, deforestation, industrialization, urbanization crucially affect the carbon cycle balance. Now we have to reach a state where greenhouse gas emissions achieve a net-zero balance.
One of the primary goal of our research group is to develop materials and processes to harness renewable source of energy. We are actively engaged in developing next generation energy storage technologies and renewable energy soruces, inclduing but not limited to green hydrogen. We are also working towards the development of “auto-heal” inexpensive self-healing sealant for photovolatics which could increase the effective life-time of the photovoltaic devices by preventing the damages on the external surfaces.
Currently our research is funded by:
