Join us for Week 5 of the NanoExchange Summer Series. Each session brings together graduate researchers to share work-in-progress, explore new ideas, and engage in open discussion across disciplines.
This summer鈥檚 NanoExchange is chaired by IMS Graduate Students Jack Loken and Jojo Pearson.
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Coffee and Snacks: 10:00 to 10:30 AM
NanoExchange Sessions: 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Location: 202 Light Hall
Yinan Yang |Decoding Order and Disorder in High-Entropy MAX Phases
We present a systematic investigation into the structural ordering principles of high-entropy MAX phases through combined density functional theory (DFT) and experimental characterization. Despite their name suggesting disorder, our findings reveal these materials are not completely random. Our comprehensive study across ~50 different compositions (spanning 2-9 metal elements)听demonstrates听that enthalpy initially keeps metals in preferred positions until entropy becomes strong enough to overcome this ordering. The layered architecture of MAX phases鈥攚here metal atoms are sandwiched between carbon and aluminum layers鈥攑rovides an exceptional platform for studying fundamental order-disorder transitions. We further quantified the surface properties and electronic behavior in the material’s听MXene听form and showed their dependence on听ordering,听opening possibilities for customized materials. Our work addresses longstanding questions听regarding听the nature of high-entropy materials by听establishing听a quantitative framework for predicting element distribution, enabling rational design of layered materials with tailored functionalities for catalysis, energy storage, and electronic applications.听
Madisen Domayer| Bioadhesive, Hybrid Hyaluronic Acid and Nanoparticle Hydrogels听
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that leads to the degradation of cartilage, causing joint pain and disability. Current treatment options include corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, but these treatments only provide temporary relief and do not听slow听the progression of the disease. As a result, patients are often ultimately relegated to total joint replacement. HA consistently reduces joint pain associated with OA, but the half-life of HA is听relatively short. We听seek听to听modify听HA to create听bioadhesive, shear-thinning hydrogels that are composites of HA and nanoparticles. This design听seeks听to provide prolonged patient relief and an opportunity to combine the benefits of HA with sustained local drug release from the nanoparticle听component听of the hydrogel. Furthermore, the NPs will be formed from polysulfides, an ROS-responsive class of polymers that have inherent antioxidant and therapeutic functions in the context of OA.听
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