Research

Colloidal and Interfacial Engineering at LSU

Active Matter: Programming dynamics and collective behaviors  

Active matter encompasses a broad range of self-propelled systems from bacteria and synthetic particles to animal groups that can display remarkable individual and collective behaviors. These tiny “engines” actively traverse micro- and nanoscale environments, and our research focuses on the critical role of interfaces in guiding and directing their motion. By leveraging external electromagnetic fields, we seek to unravel the fundamental principles that govern how particle shape, surface chemistry, and local interfacial properties and interactions influence the active motion. Through carefully designed experiments, we probe how these factors drive dynamic behaviors and mediate interactions with surrounding interfaces. By revealing the mechanisms at play, our work not only advances the foundational science of interfaces and active matter but also has far-reaching implications for technologies ranging from nanotechnology to targeted delivery systems.

Materials Assembly: Exploring interfacial-guided structures

Directed assembly leverages external fields or templates to arrange individual building blocks—such as micro- or nanoscale particles—into well-defined structures and patterns. A central focus of our research is understanding how interfacial interactions drive this process, shaping both particle-particle and particle-surface behavior at the micro- and nanoscale. By applying external electromagnetic fields, we precisely guide the organization of these building blocks to achieve tailored architectures with unique properties and functionalities. Our efforts extend to designing advanced materials, developing efficient sensors, and creating microscale actuators. Ultimately, we seek to uncover the underlying principles of bottom-up assembly, providing new pathways for innovative materials synthesis.

Environmental Interfaces: Microplastics, PFAS, and river sediments

We use interfacial science to address critical environmental challenges, including microplastics, PFAS, and the fundamental dynamics of river sediments. By examining how surfaces and boundaries govern the fate, transport, and transformation of these materials, we gain vital insights into the mechanisms that shape their behavior in aquatic ecosystems. Our work on microplastics explores the influence of water chemistry, sunlight exposure, and microbial communities on their aggregation and dispersal. Concurrently, our PFAS research investigates how these persistent chemicals adsorb onto and migrate across a range of interfaces, paving the way for potential remediation pathways. In parallel, we study river sediments as dynamic, heterogeneous systems, using interfacial principles to better understand sediment compaction, erosion, and related processes that impact water quality. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining experimental techniques and theoretical analyses, we advance our understanding of how interfacial phenomena drive environmental outcomes, ultimately informing strategies to protect our water resources.