Research
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it" — Alan Kay
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We conduct translational research efficiently
We conduct translational research efficiently
Our research focuses on one question: “What is the future of the materials industry in a decarbonized future?”
Our group studies experimental polymer science for
Direct utilization of renewable resources, recycling, and reuse;
High-performance polymer materials, such as those used as biomaterials and biomedicines;
Innovation of new material processing, including new 3D printers.
Make CFRP 10X CHEAPER!
Make CFRP 10X CHEAPER!
Carbon fiber composite materials excel in strength-to-weight ratios but fall short in cost and recyclability.
Can a breakthrough in polymer science enable (1) fiber reclamation, (2) sustainable high-performance resin, and (3) Energy-saving processing?
Example publications
Grant M. Musgrave, Caleb J. Reese, Tyler A. Kirk, Chen Wang*. Solventless Dual-cure Liquid Resins via Circular Use of Phthalic Anhydride for Recyclable Composite Applications. Macromolecular Rapid Communication, 2025, 46(11), 2400909.
Grant M. Musgrave‡, Eden Y. Yau‡, Sijia Huang,i, Chen Wang*. Solventless, Rapid-polymerizable Liquid Resins from Renewable Carboxylic Acids through Low-viscous Acid/Base Complexes. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2025, 13 (1), 190-199.
Grant M Musgrave, Katie M Bishop, John S Kim, Amelia C Heiner, Chen Wang*. Polyester Networks from Structurally Similar Monomers: Recyclable-by-design and Upcyclable to Photopolymers. Polymer Chemistry, 2023, 14, 2964-2970.
Make Photopolymer 10X TOUPHER!
Make Photopolymer 10X TOUPHER!
3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing; 3D printed materials remain subpar. In stereolithography 3D printing, the photopolymerized materials notoriously lack toughness.
Can phase-changing photopolymers break through material properties in SLA/DLP 3D Printing?
Example publications
Aanchal Jaisingh‡, Andrei L. Dan‡, Chen Wang* In preparation.
Caleb J. Reese, Grant M. Musgrave, Chen Wang*. Hydrogen Bonding Enhances the Crystallinity of Polymer Networks Synthesized by Rapid and Solventless Photopolymerization. ACS Macro Letters, 2025, 14(8), 1189-1194
Caleb J Reese, Grant M Musgrave, Anna K Huber, Sijia Huang, Eden Y Yau, Chen Wang*. Ductile Glassy Polymer Networks Capable of Large Plastic Deformation and Heat-Induced Elastic Recovery. ACS Materials Letters, 2024, 6(7), 2714-2724.
Research Supported by
Research Supported by
Group Resources - Synthesis and Processing
Group Resources - Synthesis and Processing
Wet-lab chemistry
Four 6' fume hood; Schlenk line; vacuum ovens; Rotorvap
Combiflash
Automated Flash Chromatography
FlackTek
Speedmixer
Opentrons OT-2
Automated Liquid Handler
Custom R2R
1'' and 3'' roll-to-roll coater
Plasma chamber
LED light sources
UV chambers
Group Resources - Characterization
Group Resources - Characterization
TA DHR-20
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis/ Rheology/
UV & Dielectric Rheology
Tosoh EcoSEC 8320
Gel Permeation Chromatography with THF eluent
TA Q20
Differential Scanning Calorimetry with RCS 90 chiller
Thermo iS50
Real-time, UV curing, heated stage, IR Microscope.
(Share w/ Huang group)
Keyance
Polarized Microscope
(Share w/ Huang group)
BOD respirometer
VELP
We frequently use the following shared facility
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
Group Resources - 3D Printers
Group Resources - 3D Printers
Formlabs Form 4
405nm LCD; Open Materials
Various Amazon Printers
385nm / 405 nm
MonoPrinter 365/405 nm
(Share w/ Huang group)
Incus Hammer 35
(Share w/ Fang group)
3DEVO
Filament Extruder
FDM printers
M3 Makerspace
Custom 4-axis FDM
(Student led project)
Custom DIW printer
(Student led project)
Group Resources - Software and Office
Group Resources - Software and Office
Slack
Pro Plan
Box
unlimited storage and file sharing
ChemInventory
Inventory and Barcoding
ChemDraw
Paid ChemDraw license
Undergraduate Office
individual desk; monitor provided upon request
Graduate Office
individual desk, large monitor, MacBook (PhD student) provided
The following software is provided by the University
ChatGPT EDU and CodeX
Origin Pro
Matlab
Adobe Creative Cloud
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