We are an interdisciplinary research group interested in a broad range of fundamental and applied aspects of materials chemistry, particularly macromolecular science. Our efforts are geared towards the design and synthesis of adaptive polymers and understanding the molecular-level events governing their behavior in various environments. Synthetic efforts combined with spectroscopic measurements are directed toward developing multi-stimuli-responsive materials and understanding molecular processes governing ubiquitous inter- and intra-chain interactions. Parallel efforts focus on the design of self-healing polymeric materials capable of upcycling with light sensitivity, corrosion inhibition, anti-fouling, antimicrobial, and other unique attributes. Using chemical (IR and Raman) imaging along with an array of other spectroscopic and thermo-mechanical tools, Urban Research Group members design, synthesize, and develop new generations of materials with adaptable, sensing, and signaling properties.

If you are a prospective PhD student who is interested in joining the Urban Research Group, please visit the Clemson Graduate Admissions to learn about the admission process and MSE Graduate Program opportunities. You may also contact Mrs. Laura Kinard at lkinard@clemson.edu if you have specific questions.

– RECENT NEWS –

Apr 2025. Samruddhi Gaikwad has been awarded by the Clemson University Graduate School Government Gold GSG Outstanding Research Award 2025.
Mar 2025.  Nyx Mashkow has been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious national undergraduate scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics.
Mar 2025.  Jack Austin has been awarded the Hugh H. Wilson Award for Most Outstanding Senior Experimentalist.
Jan 2024. Samruddhi Gaikwad has been awarded The Kentwool Educational Fellow for Excellence in Graduate Research.
Aug 2022. Dr. Lei Lihas joined the Department of Chemistry at Western Kentucky University as an assistant professor.
Jun 2022. Dr. Siyang Wang has joined the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering as a research associate.
May 2022. Siyang Wang has been awarded a doctorate at the May 2022 commencement ceremony.
Oct 2021. Dr. Qianhui Liu has joined Kerr Dental Co., CA, USA.
Apr 2021. Siyang Wang has given an invited talk at the National American Chemical Society meeting as part of the “Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research Symposium” sponsored by the Division of Polymer Chemistry of ACS.
Jan 2021. Dr. Dmitriy Davydovich has joined Monosol Corp., IN, USA.
Dec 2020. Dmitriy Davydovich has been awarded a doctorate at the December commencement ceremony.


 

 

 

– RECENTLY PUBLISHED –


J. Liu, T. Zhang, S. Biswas, M.W. Urban, “Electrical Energy Storage by Poly(ionic Liquids),” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2025, e202424185.
Md. W. Ullah, J. Liu, M.W. Urban, “Encoding Dipolar and Ionic Interactions in Comb-Like Poly(ionic Liquids),” Macromolecules, 2025, doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.
J. Liu, S. Biswas, M.W. Urban, “Dynamics of Dipolar and Ionic Interactions in Self-Healable Poly(ionic liquid) Copolymers,” Macromolecules, 2024, 57, 12, 5831–5837.
S. Gaikwad, M.W. Urban, “Fluorophilic Sigma(σ)-Lock Self-Healable Copolymers,” Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed., 2024, 63, (29), e202405504.
J. Liu, M.W. Urban, “Dynamic Interfaces in Self-Healable Polymers,” Langmuir, 2024, 40, 7268−7285.
S. Gaikwad, M.W. Urban, “Ring-and-Lock Interactions in Styrenic-based Copolymers,” J. Amer. Chem. Soc.,2023, 145, 17, 9693–9699.
Q. Liu, M.W. Urban, “Stimulus-Responsive Macromolecules in Polymeric Coatings,” Polymer Reviews, 2023, 63(2), 289–323.
S. Wang, M.W. Urban. “Redefining Polymer Science via Multi-Stimulus-Responsiveness,” CHEM, 2023, 9(6), 1362-1377.
S. Wang, L. Li, M.W. Urban. “Combined Reprocessibility and Self-Healing in Fluorinated Acrylic-Based Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs),” ACS Appl. Polym. Materials, 2022, 4, 12, 9360–9367.
S. Wang, L. Li, Q. Liu, M.W. Urban. “Self-Healable Acrylic-Based Covalently Adaptable Networks,” Macromolecules, 2022, 55, 11, 4703–4709.
V. Montano, M.W. Urban, S. van der Zwaag, S.J. Garcia, “Local strain-induced energy storage as a driving force for autogenous scratch closure,” Mater. Chem. A,   Small, 2022, 18(24), 202201952.  Q. Liu, L. Li, M.W. Urban, “Probing Molecular Events in Self-Healable Polymers,” Chap. 12, pp. 347-366, Spectroscopic Techniques for Polymer Characterization; Methods, Instrumentation, Applications, Eds. Y. Ozaki, H. Sato, M. Sakeena, 2022, Wiley-VCH GmbH, Germany.
S. Wang, M.W. Urban, “Self-Healable Fluorinated Copolymers Governed by Dipolar Interactions,” Advanced Science, 2021, 8, 2101399. 
S. Wang, Q, Liu, L. Li, M.W. Urban, “Recent Advances in Stimuli-Responsive Commodity Polymers,” Macromol. Rapid Commun., 2021, 2100054, 1-20.