Soft Materials and Interfaces @ Cincinnati
Welcome!
Our research is broadly focused on the physical behavior of soft materials, with an emphasis on interfaces and smaller length scales. Some current efforts are centered around adhesion, friction and wetting, non-covalent gels and elastomers, multi-phase, lubricating greases, microscale capillary behavior, and dynamics near soft surfaces and coatings. As a group, we strive to gain fundamental understanding of soft materials, to think critically about challenges in soft matter science, and to train ourselves to become the next generation of scientists and engineers. Potential applications for our work are diverse, from bioinspired adhesives and advanced coatings to biomaterials and soft devices. Members of our group gain experience in several experimental techniques, including atomic force microscopy, confocal and fluorescence microscopy, rheology, materials preparation, and custom-built mechanical characterization and materials fabrication methods.
Recent publication highlights
In wetting of polymer melt surfaces at elevated temperatures, the wetting ridge growth is related to the rheological properties.
Phase separation in wetting ridges of sliding drops on soft and swollen surfaces
Physical Review Letters (2023)
When a water drop moves along a soft and swollen surface, separation of the internal fluid occurs. The separation changes with the drop's moving velocity.
Creasing in microscale, soft static friction
Nature Communications (2023)
In soft materials friction, adhesion can be an important parameter. On the microscale, a crease can develop in front of the moving body, move through the contact zone, and detach on the back end without a scar.
We look for enthusiastic graduate students and undergraduate students to join our research group -- so feel free to reach out to us! Postdocs interested in applying for their own external funding are supported. Contact Jonathan for more information and please include your CV and a short statement of interests.
