1/22/2025
ARI's Innovator in Sustainable Polymeric Materials and Advanced Manufacturing
Dr. Ngoc Nguyen, an R&D scientist at the Illinois Applied Research Institute (ARI) within the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is an expert in polymer science and nanoengineering. Dr. Nguyen's group focuses on the intricate processing-structure-property relationships in functional polymeric materials. Our research at ARI leverages the unique macromolecular characteristics of polymers to develop innovative materials that advance environmental sustainability and address critical challenges in construction, defense, energy, and healthcare. The group's approach integrates fundamental materials science, engineering, and sustainability principles, bridging the gap between foundational research and practical applications.
Our research encompasses a broad range of advanced materials, including stimuli-responsive materials, thermoplastics, elastomers, carbon materials, natural polymers (particularly lignin), nanocomposites, fiber-reinforced composites, sulfur copolymers, and semiconducting polymers. The Nguyen group also has extensive experience designing and developing soft electronics like flexible organic solar cells and stress-strain sensors. We deliver solutions at the forefront of polymer science and engineering by leveraging various processing techniques, including roll-to-roll printing and coating, thin-film fabrication, ultraviolet ozone plasma treatments, thermal deposition, solution and melt spinning, compression molding, melt extrusion, and additive manufacturing. For additional information, please visit: the ARI Materials and Manufacturing - Nguyen.
Dr. Nguyen’s research has been supported by different funding agencies, including the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research, the U.S. Army Research Office, the DOE BioEnergy Technologies Office, the DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office, the DOE Office of Science User Facility, the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Dr. Nguyen’s work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Nature Chemistry, Advanced Materials, Green Chemistry, ChemSusChem, Macromolecules, ACS Macro Letters, Science Advances, and Advanced Sustainable Systems, and featured in news including 3D Printing Industry, EurekAlert, Science Daily, Phys.org, NanoWerk, Editor’s Choice, Journal Cover, Materials View, Chemistry Views, Daily Tech, and the Department of Energy.
Example work of Dr. Nguyen
The Nguyen group’s research focuses on the fundamental science and engineering of natural polymers, with the goal of developing next-generation bio-inspired materials for advanced energy and healthcare applications.
Dr. Nguyen’s expertise has continuously enhanced interdisciplinary research and development at ARI. The group’s efforts have fostered partnerships among various groups within ARI, other departments at the University of Illinois, and with external institutions, national laboratories, and industry partners. Dr. Nguyen brings a unique combination of expertise and innovation, furthering ARI’s mission to advance applied research and create a broad impact.