Wenlin Zhang
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Our group uses multi-scale simulations and statistical mechanics to study soft matter, such as polymers and liquid crystals. We are interested in how chemical structures and compositions, together with processing conditions, can affect phase behaviors, assembly, and material properties. The physical understanding of material behaviors at different length and time scales helps us navigate the vast design parameter space for high-performance materials.
Contact
Department(s)
Chemistry
Education
- B.S. University of Minnesota, 2009-2012
- Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University 2012-2017
- Post-doc, University of Michigan, 2017-2020
Selected Publications
"Effects of block copolymer compatibilizers and interfacial entanglements on strengthening immiscible glassy polymer blends", Zhang, Y.; Zhang, W., Macromolecules, 2025, in press.
"All-atom molecular dynamics simulations reveal the effects of nanoplastics on lipid membranes and vice versa", Duraes, D.S.; Jiao, E.L.; Zhang, W., The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2025, in press
"A multi-scale framework for predicting α-cyclodextrin assembly on polyethylene glycol axles", Smith, C.D.; Ke, C.#; Zhang, W.#, Soft Matter, 2024, 20, 9068 - 9082. #Corresponding authors
"Interfaces and soft confinement promote crystallization in polymer nanodroplets", Liu, C.; Duraes, D.S.; Jiao, E.L.; Zhang, W., MRS Advances, 2024.