Research Projects

Supramolecular polymers, dynamic non-covalent analogues of traditional macromolecular polymers, have emerged as some of the most promising candidates for the development of adaptive, responsive, and multifunctional soft materials over the last decade. A key challenge in this field is achieving precise spatial and temporal control over molecular organization to tailor material properties. While recent advancements in bio-inspired, kinetically controlled synthesis methods have made significant strides, current synthetic supramolecular polymers still lack the complexity and functionality observed in biological systems. Life exhibits an extraordinary ability to evolve and self-organize into increasingly intricate structures. Emulating such sophisticated architectures and functions in synthetic materials could lead to the development of adaptive systems capable of logical operations, life-like behaviors, dynamic responsiveness, self-regulation, and self-repair. However, realizing this vision requires fundamental breakthroughs in controlling molecular organization within multicomponent systems, compartmentalization of self-assemblies, liquid-liquid phase separation, motility, oscillatory behaviors, and precise regulation of self-assembly in dynamic and crowded environments. This proposal aims to bridge these gaps by designing supramolecular polymers that exhibit biomimetic characteristics and operate far from equilibrium, displaying life-like traits. The proposed research follows a two-stage approach: Short-term goal (Stage 1) plans a comprehensive investigation into supramolecular polymers to impart characteristics resembling cellular environments, such as liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), macromolecular crowding, and reaction-coupled feedback loops. The long-term goal (Stage 2) proposes the extraction and implementation of biomimetic functions from these systems to achieve dynamic self-regulation and life-like behaviors. The research in this stage aims to advance the field by integrating supramolecular oscillators with coacervate droplets to explore their role in directed motion and dissipative self-replication. By linking molecular self-assembly to macroscopic behavior through mechanisms such as Marangoni flow and protocell-like division, this proposal seeks to provide insights into cell motility, primitive metabolic cycles, and the emergence of complexity in synthetic systems. Thus, this proposal not only deepens our understanding of the origins of life but also lays the foundation for engineering life-like, smart functions in synthetic materials, opening new avenues for biomimetic and adaptive soft matter research. Keywords: 1. Supramolecular Polymers 2. Adaptive and Soft Materials 3. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation 4. Bio-inspired Materials 5. Dissipative Systems 6. Reaction-coupled Assembly