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
Join the Boydston Group!
The Boydston group is recruiting from the Fall 2023 UW-Madison Chemistry Graduate Student cohort! Learn more about our lab's work with polymer synthesis, photoredox ROMP, mechanochemistry, and 3D printing by joining us for: Group meetings: 3:00-5:00pm on Mondays in 2401 Literature group meetings: 3:00-4:30pm, biweekly Thursdays starting 9/14 in 2401 You can also get to know everyone by joining us for social events such as: Bowling at the Sett on Wednesday 9/20, 6pm at Union South Pumpkin Carving on Wednesday 10/25, 6pm in Union South (room TBD, you’re welcome to wear a Halloween costume) Game Night on Wednesday 11/15, 6pm in Union South (room TBD) Please RSVP to social events or send questions to Sarah (sgfinnegan@wisc.edu).
September 5, 2023The Boydston group goes to ACS San Francisco!
On August 13-17, the Boydston group attended ACS San Francisco to present their talks and posters. Congrats to the following group members for presenting their work! Olivia Bae, Influence of NHC structure on the mechanophore …
August 21, 2023Congrats to Julia and Vinnie on winning a PPG Travel Grant!
Julia and Vinnie submitted a 3-minute video “elevator pitch” on their research made PPG Scientists want to learn more about their work. They each received a travel grant up to $2500 to present their research …
August 9, 2023Congrats to Dr. Tritt on earning her PhD!
Congrats to Dr. Rachel Tritt on defending her PhD dissertation, “Improving Control and Functionality of Photoredox-Mediated Metal-Free Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization!” Dr. Tritt will continue her scientific career at Tolmar Pharmaceuticals, Inc in Colorado. We are …
August 4, 2023Congrats to Cora for presenting her poster and completing her Summer 2023 REU!
Cora was our summer undergraduate research student for Summer 2023. She joined the MF-ROMP subgroup and completed a lot of amazing work. We hope that you had a good time working with us this summer. …
August 4, 2023- Read More News
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