My research is focused on exploring the dynamics and structure of unique sol-gel materials. Sol-gel chemistry offers a convenient and inexpensive way to make optically transparent silicate glasses formed from room temperature that are of both fundamental and technological interest in material science. Some of the research ideas my group explores are: Biogels as optical sensors, 'Smart windows' incorporating metal nanoparticles, Water remediation with sol-gels.
My group combines the binding potential of chelating agents with the good mechanical properties and a high surface area of silica sol-gels to create low-cost, effective, and regenerable absorbent gels that are capable of heavy metal removal from water.
