AN LAB develops unprecedented 3D nanoscale analysis platforms to establish the scientific bases for advanced polymer composites with a deep understanding of the fundamental synthesis-morphology-property relationship. Composite materials couple two or more components (e.g., polymers, ceramics, metals) to obtain functions that exceed the sum of the properties of the components. Rational design of composite materials at the nanoscale has been an emergent direction of efforts where the interaction, morphology, and processing of the components need to be considered synergistically. Such aspects are highly intertwined, whose quantification and visualization at the nanometer level have been met by many challenges, and thus the current efforts are mostly trial-and-error.

   In this context, our lab will bridge the gap in developing tailorable- and predictable-design for advanced polymer composites at the nanoscale to address scientific questions in energy and environment engineering.