{"id":799,"date":"2023-07-29T11:17:33","date_gmt":"2023-07-29T15:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/?page_id=799"},"modified":"2025-08-01T12:17:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T16:17:23","slug":"news-and-announcements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/news-and-announcements\/","title":{"rendered":"News and Announcements"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list has-dates wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/summer-undergraduate-research-symposium\/\">Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-08-01T13:21:34-04:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">August 1, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:columns {\"verticalAlignment\":null} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column {\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\",\"width\":\"33.33%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><!-- wp:gallery {\"columns\":1,\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-1 is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1331,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-364x485.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-500x667.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-1000x1333.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-1280x1707.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-2000x2667.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-2560x3413.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5301-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hao Chen, Chemical Engineering, University of Houston<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1332,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-364x485.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-500x667.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-1000x1333.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-1280x1707.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-2000x2667.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-2560x3413.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20250801_095223-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rowan Bixler, Physics, Amherst College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1333,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-364x273.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-1280x960.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5297-scaled.jpg 2560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gabriel Stradtman, Mechanical Engineering, URI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1334,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-364x485.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-500x667.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-1000x1333.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-1280x1707.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-2000x2667.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-2560x3413.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_5302-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Liam Kennings, Biomedical Engineering, URI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:gallery --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\",\"width\":\"66.66%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The RPS Lab had the pleasure of hosting multiple undergraduate students this summer. Today, they presented their work during the <a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ri-surs\/\">RI Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium<\/a>. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I am always impressed with the hard work and dedication these students bring to the programs and was even more impressed with the amount of progress they have all made!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The projects presented from our group include:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Hao Chen, Chemical Engineering, University of Houston: <em>Solvent and Temperature Effects on the Stability of Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles with Varying Polymer Molecular Weights<\/em><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Rowan Bixler, Physics, Amherst College: <em>Developing an Optical Microscopy Method for Identifying Microplastics in Environmental Samples<\/em><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Gabriel Stradtman, Mechanical Engineering, URI: <em>Elucidating the Printability of Soft Materials in 3D Printing<\/em><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Liam Kennings, Biomedical Engineering, URI: <em>Conductive Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Soft Actuators<\/em><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/congratulations-kylie-hartley-ms-25\/\">Congratulations, Kylie Hartley, MS &#8217;25<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-08-01T12:36:51-04:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">August 1, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"33.33%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":918,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-918\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-364x364.jpeg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-500x500.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-1000x1000.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-1280x1280.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-400x400.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661-600x600.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/KylieHartley-e1739900992661.jpeg 1287w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"66.66%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Last Friday, Kylie successfully defended her Master&#8217;s thesis! She has been an incredible asset to the group over the last two years, combining her backgrounds in cellular and molecular biology with chemical engineering to explore the potential of polymer-based anodes for microbial fuel cells. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We are sad to have her leaving but we are incredibly proud of how much she has grown during her time here, the beautiful experimental set ups she has developed, and her ability to connect fundamental insights to clear applications. We cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thesis Title: <em>Development and Optimization of Polymer-Anode Microbial Fuel Cells from Wastewater Bacteria for Eco-Friendly Energy Generation and Applications in Low Current Systems<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/rps-named-2025-cottrell-scholar\/\">RPS Named 2025 Cottrell Scholar<\/a><time datetime=\"2025-02-18T17:39:39-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">February 18, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"33.33%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":889,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-364x364.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/20211026_Salerno_URIEngineering_Headshots-0102_cropped.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"66.66%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dr. Ryan Poling-Skutvik was named as a <a href=\"https:\/\/rescorp.org\/news\/2025\/02\/rcsa-welcomes-2025-class-of-cottrell-scholars\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/rescorp.org\/news\/2025\/02\/rcsa-welcomes-2025-class-of-cottrell-scholars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2025 Cottrell Scholar<\/a> by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. Through a competitive peer-review process, this award recognizes early career teacher-scholars in the fields of chemistry, physics, and astronomy. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>RPS received this award for his proposal titled &#8220;Developing a Dynamic Taxonomy of Soft Matter for a New Era of Material Design.&#8221; This work looks to develop and understand soft materials through a dynamic paradigm. This award includes a grant of $120,000 to conduct this proposed research. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Award highlight in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/uri-chemical-engineering-professor-named-2025-cottrell-scholar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rhody Today<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/congratulations-dr-daniel-keane\/\">Congratulations Dr. Daniel Keane!<\/a><time datetime=\"2024-12-06T20:20:50-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">December 6, 2024<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:columns {\"verticalAlignment\":null} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column {\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\",\"width\":\"33.33%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1172,\"width\":\"256px\",\"height\":\"auto\",\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1172\" style=\"width:256px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-364x273.jpeg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-500x375.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-1280x960.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-2000x1500.jpeg 2000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_4096-scaled.jpeg 2560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">RPS and Dr. Daniel Keane after his successful PhD defense, December 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column {\"verticalAlignment\":\"center\",\"width\":\"66.66%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Daniel Keane has successfully defended his PhD thesis and becomes the first PhD graduate of the RPS Lab! <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>His thesis work forms the foundation of our thrusts in designing novel rheological modifiers, fully synthetic biomimetic analogues, and high-performance inks for 3D printing. He will join <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ingredion.com\/na\/en-us.html\">Ingredion<\/a> in January as a research scientist optimizing the performance of rheological additives for food applications.  <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/aiche-poster-awards\/\">AIChE Poster Awards<\/a><time datetime=\"2024-11-13T17:48:35-05:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">November 13, 2024<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In October, the RPS Lab attended the Annual AIChE Conference in San Diego, CA. At this conference, two undergraduate researchers &#8211; David Amirsadri and Colby Constantine &#8211; presented posters on their research projects, and both students received poster awards for their presentations. Congratulations!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1162,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-364x273.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-1280x960.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3906-scaled.jpg 2560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">David Amirsadri<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Poster: Dynamics of Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticle Suspensions<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Award: 2<sup>nd<\/sup> Place Undergraduate Poster in Materials Engineering and Sciences Session.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This project combines his research in our group with the research he performed at an REU over the summer with Dr. <a href=\"https:\/\/expertise.csuohio.edu\/csufacultyprofile\/detail.cfm?FacultyID=K_STRELETZKY\">Kiril Streletzky<\/a> at Cleveland State University and Dr. <a href=\"https:\/\/engineering.case.edu\/about\/school-directory\/michael-j-hore\">Michael Hore<\/a> at Case Western Reserve University. His investigation characterizes the thickness of grafted polymer layers on anisotropic nanorods and their aggregation in thermally responsive solvents. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":1163,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-364x273.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-1280x960.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1895\/IMG_3901-scaled.jpg 2560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column -->\n\n<!-- wp:column -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\"><!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Colby Constantine<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Poster: Characterizing Nanoparticle Dynamics in Biorelevant Materials to Predict Epithelial Transport Properties of Orally Administered Medications<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Award: 2<sup>nd<\/sup> Place Undergraduate Poster in Food, Pharmaceutical, and Biotechnology Session.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This two-part investigation develops synthetic materials that mimic the hierarchical structure of mucosal layers in the body and identifies nanoparticle dynamics in these biomimetic systems. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns --><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3845,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-799","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3845"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=799"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1328,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/799\/revisions\/1328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/soft-matter-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}