Danielle Mai

The Mai Research Group engineers biopolymers, which are the building materials of life. We seek to develop functional biomaterials and to enhance understanding in the physics of soft materials. Molecular-scale biopolymer design presents a unique opportunity to rationally design materials based on biomolecular templates. Moreover, biopolymer engineering incorporates the rich functional landscape of biological systems into responsive biomaterials. We are especially interested in connecting properties across multiple length scales (molecular, microscopic, macroscopic) using experimental methods. We integrate rational biomolecular design, biological and chemical synthesis, and multi-scale characterization techniques to engineer biopolymers with tunable mechanics, stimuli-responsive behavior, and self-healing properties. Initial research efforts address biological systems where deformation is significant, with specific project areas including: (i) muscle-mimetic materials from polypeptides, (ii) biolubricants from bottlebrush polymers, and (iii) selective filters from programmable hydrogels.