Gel dynamics at interfaces

The main objective of the project is to understand the internal dynamics of a hydrogel as a function of stimulus and at interfaces. This objective is attained by using Light Scattering techniques like SALS and DDM. SALS takes images of hydrogels overtime and registers the intensity fluctuation. This is useful in obtaining the spatially-resolved dynamics of hydrogels near surfaces and as a function of deformation.

Effect of environmental elasticity on biological assembly

Nature is the ultimate example of functional, hierarchical self-assembled biomaterials. We aim to understand the role of elastic effects of self-assembly of proteins from nanometer to micron length scales. This new knowledge will lead to the next general of biomaterials with unique and tailored optical and physical properties.