Newell Washburn

Research in the Washburn Group focuses on the development of new materials with novel compositions or architectures. The goals of the research are in elucidating fundamental properties and the structure-function relationships as well as exploring technological applications. Of particular interest is the development of materials based on renewable resources. Current research areas include surfactants and nanocomposites based on the biopolymer lignin, non-fouling interfaces for medical diagnostics, high-affinity adsorbents for the selective recovery of metals from aqueous systems, and conducting-polymer binders for battery electrodes.