Mather Research Lab

The Mather Research Lab focuses on functional materials—in particular, the development of polymeric and hybrid materials with prescribed functionality beyond traditionally passive mechanical roles. Applications range from medical to structural materials technology. Utilizing core experimental strengths of (i) polymer synthesis, (ii) rheology and processing, (iii) morphological analysis, (iv) quantitative thermal analysis, and (v) mechanical testing, the research group pursues the development of functional polymers for a diverse array of applications. Student researchers are immersed in the full spectrum of molecular and nanoscale design, synthesis, characterization, and quantitative analysis, allowing us to reveal structure-processing-property relations underpinning complex responses and allowing exploitation in diverse applications.

Current research projects include:

• Shape memory and self-healing polymeric composites
• Electrospinning of nanomaterials
• Controlled release of drugs from electrospun and electrosprayed polymers