The Sukhishvili Group aims to understand and develop new types of assembled polymer materials with programmed response to environmental stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, or the presence of oxygen or bacteria. These novel materials are designed for controlled drug delivery; latent heat storage; protection of materials against corrosion; as well as for applications which involve materials shape morphing. Research spans the fields of polymer chemistry, physics and materials science, and involves synthesis of polymers, their rational assembly, studies of kinetics and thermodynamics of assembled structures, and exploration of response properties of these materials. Examples of current work include:
- Fundamentals of layer-by-layer assemblies
- Antioxidant polymers and their assemblies
- Bioactive coatings of fluorinated polyphosphazenes
- Responsive films of polymer micelles and star polymer
- Shape stabilization of phase change materials for energy storage
- 3D printable dynamic polymer networks
- Ultrathin coatings for mid-IR gas sensing
Fundamentals of layer-by-layer assemblies
Antioxidant polymer and their assemblies
Bioactive coatings of fluorinated polyphosphazenes
Responsive films of polymer micelles and star polymers
Shape stabilization of phase change materials for energy storage
