The Boydston Research Group is a diverse and highly collaborative team that engages in interdisciplinary research to develop functional materials at multiple length scales. We specialize in synthetic polymer chemistry, photoredox catalysis, polymer mechanochemistry, and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Some of our main goals include discovery and development of new polymerization methods, design and evaluation of mechanophores that can trigger the release of small molecules, and establishing complete chemical control over every voxel within 3D printed multimaterial systems. Collectively, we think about chemical processes and structure-function relationships from molecular-scale up through systems integration.
Research Overview
Metal Free Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (MF-ROMP)
Photoredox ROMP provides one of the few metal-free routes to access the high-value polymers synthesized via metathesis polymerizations. We use physical-organic principles to understand, optimize, and expand the functionality of photoredox ROMP.
Additive Manufacturing (AM)
The additive manufacturing subgroup leverages chemical synthesis, engineering, modeling, and materials design to create new capabilities in 3D printing.
Functional and Responsive Materials (FARM)
Functional and responsive materials are polymer systems that produce desirable chemical outcomes in response to compatible stimuli. We design polymers targeting practical applications such as catalysis, force-sensing, and reprocessable materials.
Recent News
Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Starting Fall 2023
The Boydston group has two opportunities available for undergraduate research assistants starting Fall 2023. Materials Characterization of Thermosets and Thermoplastics. For more information, please read the advertisement. To apply, please fill out this form. Please contact Brittany …
April 21, 2023Congrats Daria on receiving the Ackerman Scholarship and a NSF REU at UPenn!
Congrats Daria on receiving the Ackerman Scholarship, which is a Chemistry Undergraduate Award from UW-Madison. She will also be attending the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) at UPenn. Congrats on your amazing achievements and we wish you the best of luck at your REU!
March 31, 2023Congrats to Ruojia on receiving the Wisconsin ACS Local Section Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Chemistry!
Ruojia was selected to receive a Wisconsin ACS Local Section Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Chemistry! She is one of seven recipients selected this year for this award by the Fellowships and Scholarships Committee. The committee considered nominations from faculty of graduating, soon to graduate, or recently graduated chemistry majors who have demonstrated excellence in both coursework and research. Congratulations on your stellar achievement!
March 31, 2023Congrats to Sean and Xuejin on their recent publication in Angewandte Chemie!
This paper was done in collaboration with a former Boydston group postdoctoral scholar, Xuejin Yang, and the Michael group at University of Washington. This work reports on the post-polymerization modification of polynorbornenes.
March 21, 2023Congratulations Julia for passing her RP!
Congratulations Julia for passing her research proposal (RP)! Keep up the great work 🙂
March 21, 2023- Read More News
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