Research

(1) Colloidal Stability & Interactions

Colloidal suspensions contain nano- and micro- particles dispersed in liquid, and their stable dispersion is essential for ensuring material performance. We study how surface charge, polymer additives, colloidal size, and medium conditions influence colloidal interactions. This allows us to control structure, stability, and processing behavior in nano-soft materials.

(2) Anisotropic Nanoparticles & Liquid Crystals

Rod- and plate-like nanoparticles can spontaneously align and organize into liquid crystal structures. We investigate how these alignments are affected by concentration, interactions, and shear flow. This helps us design materials with alignment-dependent properties, like films and fibers. 

(3) Microstructure-Property Relations

The mechanical, optical, and rheological properties of soft materials depend strongly on their structure. We analyze microstructures from the nano to macro scale to understand how they influence material behavior. These insights help us design functional materials for flexible, responsive, or high-performance applications.

(4) Advanced Rheological Analysis

Soft materials exhibit complex behaviors under stress, including yielding, strain softening/stiffening, and recovery. We use both linear and nonlinear rheological techniques to fully characterize these responses. In particular, nonlinear rheology provides crucial insights for processes involving shear forces (fiber spinning, inkjet/screen printing, and 3D printing), offering effective guidelines for material design and processing.