In this work, a photo-polymerization route was used to obtain potassium acrylate-co-
acrylamide hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties, well-defined microstructures in …

Swelling of individual fibres exposed to a favorable solvent may affect the mechanical
properties or shape of a fibrous material. We provide experimental results of the absorption …

From biological tissues to microactuators and absorption of solvents into layers of paint,
macroscopically non-porous materials with the capacity to swell when in contact with a …

The occasional use of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) by rogue states in current conflicts
provides a reminder that these hazards are a real threat. Although hazmat suits made of fully …

When a drop is placed on a surface it fully wets, it usually spreads until the height of the drop
is comparable to the size of a single fluid molecule. However, when some fluid is absorbed …

Hydrogels have attractive characteristics such as notable biocompatibility, outstanding
hydrophilia and efficient mass transport (MT), which makes hydrogel suitable for tissue …

The persistent use of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) by rogue states in current conflicts
provides a reminder that these hazards remain a real threat. Although hazmat suits made of …

Soft matter includes various materials, with diverse phenomena crosslinked by several
universal properties in this big family. In this thesis, I focus on two ideas:(1) differentiating …

Droplet-structure interactions play a pivotal role in many engineering applications as droplet-
based solutions are evolving. This work explores the physical understanding of these …

As experiencing hot months and thermal stresses is becoming more common, chemically
protective fabrics must adapt and provide protections while reducing the heat stress to the …