Polymer gels and intermolecular complexes constitute a special class of soft matter with regard to their supramolecular structure, viscoelastic and thermal properties, as well as their applications. A gel can be defined as a three-dimensional interconnected, mechanically percolating structure in which the continuous phase (solvent) synergistically interacts with the network. The dispersed phase (polymer) is often found in a disordered and ergodic state. Thus, the sol-gel transition constitutes a phase change from an ergodic to a non-ergodic state. Normally, high molecular weight (long-chain) polymers are chemically crosslinked in the solvent medium to generate a chemical gel, which is rigid and capable of sustaining significant amounts of compressional and shear deformations. On the other hand, physical gels are formed and stabilized in the solvent mostly through secondary forces such as hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions, making them fragile. This is in contrast to chemical gels that form due to the prevalence of primary forces. However, as the incipient gel phase is approached, the system gradually develops an equilibrium modulus that increases with crosslink density. The second common feature linking the two is the evolution of an infinitely large and interconnected network with a characteristic correlation length at the gelation point. Considerable debate exists in the literature regarding the applicability of universal scaling laws to physical gel systems due to the significant differences in their structures. Unlike chemical gels, which have a single characteristic length scale, physical gels can exhibit a multitude of length scales. When the polymers are polyelectrolytes, the gelation kinetics become even more complex due to the interplay of electrostatic and non-electrostatic forces. Follow my work on gealtion where I tried to address gelation in biopolymers.

The other system I am interested in is Coacervation. It is defined as an electrostatically-driven liquid-liquid phase partition, arising from the arrangement of oppositely charged macro-ions, mostly by electrostatic forces. It is assisted by intermolecular interactions between oppositely charged macromolecules. Phase separation involves an unconstrained arrangement of two fluid phases: one dense and rich in polymer (called coacervate), and the other fluid with low polymer content (supernatant). Therefore, my work has focused on how protein-polyelectrolyte complexes areformed ans how salt affact the phase behavour of the system. Furthermore, I have focused on how charge sequences and hydrophpcity plays a role  in coacervation in polypeptides, which can revel the complex behaviours of protein condensation in cells. This research can aid in developing therapeutics for diseases like Alzheimer's. 

Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductor particles that exhibit unique electronic and optical properties due to their small size and quantum mechanical behavior. 

Quantum dots are tiny, fluorescent nanoparticles made primarily of carbon atoms. These dots typically have a size of less than 10 nanometers. Quantum dots have a size-dependent bandgap, which is the energy difference between the valence band (where electrons are bound to atoms) and the conduction band (where electrons are free to move and conduct electricity). As the size of a quantum dot decreases, its bandgap increases, leading to tunable optical and electronic properties.

In quantum dots, electron-hole pairs, known as excitons, play a significant role. When an electron is excited from the valence band to the conduction band, it leaves behind a positively charged hole. The electron and hole can bind together to form an exciton, which can emit light when it recombines. The energy of the emitted photon depends on the size of the quantum dot.

One of the most significant features of quantum dots is their ability to emit light of different colors (wavelengths) depending on their size. This property is known as quantum confinement, and it allows to create quantum dots that emit specific colors of light, making them valuable for applications like bioimaging, sensing and Energy Applications.