Ryan C. Hayward

Degree Information:
B.S.E Chemical Engineering, Princeton University, 1999
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara, 2004

Mailing Address:
Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
Room A317, Conte Research Center
University of Massachusetts Amherst
120 Governors Drive
Amherst, MA 01003

Phone: 413-577-1317

Email: rhayward@mail.pse.umass.edu

Fax: 413-545-0082

Research Interests:
Assembly of polymers and particles at interfaces; mechanical instabilities; supramolecular polymers; surface micro- and nano-patterning; polymer thin films; microfluidic processing; polymeric structures for encapsulation and delivery.

Current Research:

Active and dynamic polymer interfaces

Our group uses a variety of strategies to create interfacial layers of polymers that can be dynamically reconfigured to change their structure and properties. To do so, we take advantage of mechanical instabilities to reversibly generate topographic and chemical patterns, as well as switchable non-covalent (supramolecular) interactions to build polymer assemblies.

Self assembly of polymers and particles

We are studying a number of questions related to how polymers and particles assemble at interfaces and in confined geometries. An important tool in our work is microfluidic devices, which allow us to create well-defined fluid flows and interfaces. We study self-assembly in systems with applications ranging from encapsulation and delivery to new materials for energy.

To learn more, click on the "Research" or "Publications" links to the left, or contact us.

Honors and Distinctions:

National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2008)

National Science Foundation SGER (2007)

University of California Chancellor's Fellowship (2004)

Corning Fellowship in Materials Research (2003)

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (1999-2002)