Biomolecular assemblies and soft nanostructured materials

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The proposed research program combines studies in two thematic areas of soft matter: soft glassy nanostructured materials and protein-based biomolecular assemblies. These studies will combine light scattering, diffusing wave spectroscopy, mechanical rheometry, and x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy methods with materials synthesis and computational modeling. In the research program on soft glassy materials, we will study the formation and aging of several model soft nanostructured materials (temperature reversible nanoparticle gels, nanoemulsions under shear, and polymer melts and elastomers near the glass transition) with a focus on understanding the effects of mechanical deformation on the formation and aging processes. In the research program on protein-based biomolecular assemblies, we will develop new elastomeric protein materials (associating protein networks and elastomeric protein polymers), and investigate the roles of their modular domains in determining their structural and viscoelastic properties.