Graduate Student Seminar
December 08, 2023
12:00 p.m. ET
Scaife Hall 105
Unraveling the governing factors for cholesteric liquid crystal self-assembly of polysaccharides
Thanks to their earth abundance and their ability to self-assemble in photonic crystals, cholesteric polysaccharides have been investigated as the basis for functional optical nanomaterials. However, the effects of polysaccharide chemistry and solvent-polymer interaction on the formation of the cholesteric phase remain understudied. In this talk, we explain how different thermodynamic and chemical factors influence the self-assembly and optical properties of cholesteric mesophases constructed from suspensions of polysaccharides, such as cellulose ethers. Through a systematic data analysis framework we developed, we elucidate structure-property relationships linking solubility, viscosity, and hydrogen bonding to the cholesteric pitch and resulting optical properties. Then, we discuss how chemical factors such as molecular weight and repeat-unit chemistry affect kinetics of liquid-crystalline self-assembly. These relationships are expected to assist in the large-scale deployment of polysaccharide-based functional materials with direct optical assessment of temperature, mechanical strain, or humidity.
Cécile A. C. Chazot, Northwestern University
Chazot (she/her/hers) is the Julia Weertman Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, where she leads the Sustainable Polymer Innovation laboratory (SPIn lab). Her research seeks to develop sustainable polymer-based materials, with an equal focus on environmental and societal impact. Her focus areas include fiber-based materials, biopolymers, large-scale processing, structural colors, and engineering education. She earned her Ph.D. in 2022 from the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (DMSE) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), under the supervision of Prof. A. John Hart, and a M.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering from Mines Paristech (France). She is also a co-founder of the Materials Initiative for Comprehensive Research Opportunity (MICRO), a remote educational program to empower minoritized undergraduates to conduct research in materials science. Cecile’s work lies at the interface of educational initiatives and innovation in materials and manufacturing, which led her to receive the Arthur Nowick Award and a Silver Graduate Student Award at the 2021 Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting.
Upcoming Events
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March 13 2025
3:30 PM ET
Materials Science and Engineering
"MaterialEyes - Seeing the Invisible using Experiment, Theory and AI," presented by Maria Chan, Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory
Mehl Room - 2327 Wean
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March 14 2025
10:00 AM ET
Materials Science and Engineering
A Journey from Atoms to Materials: Computationally-Guided Discovery and Design of Functional Materials, presented by Prashun Gorai, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
McConomy Auditorium, First Floor Cohon University Center
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March 21 2025
10:00 AM ET
Materials Science and Engineering
Thermophysical and Thermochemical Properties of Transition Metal Diborides up to and above 3000 degrees, presented by Scott J. McCormack, University of California, Davis
McConomy Auditorium, First Floor Cohon University Center
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March 28 2025
10:00 AM ET
Materials Science and Engineering
Deciphering microscopic mechanisms driving assembly and flow of soft materials, presented by Vikram Jadhao, Indiana University, Bloomington
McConomy Auditorium, First Floor Cohon University Center
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April 11 2025
10:00 AM ET
Materials Science and Engineering
The Green Steel Revolution, presented by Sara Hornby-Anderson
McConomy Auditorium, First Floor Cohon University Center
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April 18 2025
10:00 AM ET
Materials Science and Engineering
presented by Robert Macfarlane, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
McConomy Auditorium, First Floor Cohon University Center