Faculty
Michael F. Rubner
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TDK Professor of Polymer Materials Science and Engineering Director, Center for Materials Science and Engineering Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow BS Chemistry, University of Lowell, 1982 PhD Polymer Science, MIT, 1986 Room 13-5106, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 617-253-4477 (phone) 617-258-7874 (fax) |
Disciplines
Research
The research of Professor Rubner's group is focussed on the design, fabrication and properties of ultra-thin films of polymers for electrical, optical, and biomaterial applications. Much of this research utilizes a new, molecular-level layer-by-layer processing technique that makes it possible to fabricate complex thin film heterostructures with a wide range of properties.
Properties and applications of current interest include anti-fogging coatings, anti-reflection coatings, photonic band-gap reflectors, bio-inert coatings, bio-specific coatings, ink-jet and micro-contact printed patterned thin films, micro- and nanoporous thin films, structural color and patterned biosensors.
Fundamental studies are aimed at understanding hydrogen bonding and electrostatic multilayer assembly, interactions of cells and bacteria with surfaces, and mechanisms controlling the wetting of surfaces with water.
Selected Publications
Tuteja, A., Choi, W., McKinley, G.H., et al. “Design Parameters for Superhydrophobicity and Superoleophobicity,” MRS Bulletin 33(8): 752–758, 2008.
Swiston, A.J., Cheng, C., Um, S.H., et. al. “Surface Functionalization of Living Cells with Multilayer Patches,” Nano Letters 8(12): 4446–4453, 2008.
Olugebefola, S.C., Kuhlman, W.A., Rubner, M.F., Mayes, A.M. “Photopatterned Nanoporosity in Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films,” Langmuir 24(9): 5172–5178, 2008.
Chia, K.K., Cohen, R.E., Rubner, M.F. “Amine-Rich Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Nanoreactors for in Situ Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis,” Chemical Materials 20, 6756–6763, 2008.
