Love Group

The Love laboratory is focused on characterizing the structure/properties of soft gels. They probe the kinetics of polymerization and tracking thermophysical changes in resin attributes as a function of conversion or hydration. The lab has been working actively on dewatering strategies and other gel aging features. This element also includes dynamic modeling. The lab also studies how particle dynamics in solution, stratification phenomena, adsorption phenomena on particles in dispersions, and particle-particle interactions are affected when ensembles of particles are dispersed in solution. Additional research looks at the phase structure, stability, and driving force for ordering in aqueous amphiphilic copolymers solutions and dispersions, coupled with more detailed studies of micelle formation, short range ordering, etc. These structures are often used as surfactants to solubilize drugs for liquid dispensing. Experimental work has included rheology, DSC, and SAXS. Laboratory staff also study biomass conversion linked with recycling, life cycle assessments, and sustainable production methods. Here, they are focused internationally, with project ideas linked with natural fiber extraction and reprocessing.