Control of hierarchical polymer mechanics with bioinspired metal-coordination dynamics
Grindy, S., Learsch, R., et. al (2015). "Control of hierarchical polymer mechanics with bioinspired metal-coordination dynamics." Nature Materials.
CV
Education
- Ph.D in Materials Science, California Institute of Technology, 2022 (expected)
- Thesis: Fluid properties of polymer solutions under elongational flow and their importance in safety and agricultural applications
- M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Colorado University, Boulder, 2017
- S.B. in Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2015
- Minor in Mechanical Enginering
Skills
- Laboratory
- Organic Synthesis
- Air and water sensitive chemistry, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Column Chromatography, N$_2$ and Argon glove box experience
- Spectroscopy
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Raman Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Microscopy
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Confocal Microscopy, High speed video
- Mechanical Analysis
- Rheology, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Nanoindentation, Stress-strain, failure analysis
- Thermal Analysis
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA)
- Organic Synthesis
- Computational
- Techniques
- Data analysis, Machine Learning (ML), Image analysis and image processing, github
- Languages
- Python, MATLAB, R, SQL
- Modeling/simulation
- Dynamic Field Theory (DFT), Molecular Dynamics (MD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), 3D modeling (AutoCAD, Solidworks, Sketchup)
- Techniques
Publications
Arm-First Synthesis of Star Polymers with Polywedge Arms Using Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization and Bifunctional Crosslinkers
Learsch, R. W., and Miyake, G. M. (2018). "Arm-First Synthesis of Star Polymers with Polywedge Arms Using Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization and Bifunctional Crosslinkers." Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Synthesis.
Mechanical evaluation of 3D printed biomimetic non-Euclidean saddle geometries mimicking the mantis shrimp
Mensch, T. E, et. al. (2021). "Mechanical evaluation of 3D printed biomimetic non-Euclidean saddle geometries mimicking the mantis shrimp." Bioinspiration & Biomimetics.
Evolutionary assembly of cooperating cell types in an animal chemical defense system
Bruckner, A. et. al. "Evolutionary assembly of cooperating cell types in an animal chemical defense system." Cell.
Talks
Durable, low-voltage electroactiv epolymers formed from polyionic complexes
Poster at ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting, Online
Durable, low-voltage electroactiv epolymers formed from polyionic complexes
Poster at ACS Spring 2022 National Meeting, San Diego, CA
Investigation in experimental conditions and automation of dripping-onto-substrate rheology
Conference proceedings talk at ACS Spring 2022 National Meeting, San Diego, CA
Awards and Honors
- Global Semi Finalist, Building Better World Data Science Challenge
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF-GRFP) (2016)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute for Solider Nanotechnology Soldier Design Competition, 2nd place (2015)
- iGEM Gold Medal, East Regional Jamboree (2012)
Teaching
- California Institute of Technology
- Transport Phenomena, Heat Transfer
- Fall 2021, Fall 2020
- Oscillations and Vibrations
- Fall 2019
- Transport Phenomena, Heat Transfer
- University of Colorado, Boulder
- Chemistry for Engineers
- Fall 2015
- Chemistry for Engineers
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Introduction to Solid State Chemistry
- Fall 2014
- Introduction to Solid State Chemistry
Service and leadership
- California Institute of Technology
- Organize 2 student seminars/week and seasonal social events; facilitate accommodations for students with disabilities
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Center for Materials Science and Engineering Program for Middle School Students, Mentor
- Interview 10 prospective MIT undergraduates/year and report findings to admissions committee
- Elected leader for 300 students, oversaw dormitory budget of $30,000/year for community events and purchases