Get smart

Aide Wu, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in materials science, works with a second generation automatic continuous online monitoring of polymerization reactions instrument (ACOMP) in the Tulane University Center for Polymer Reaction Monitoring and Characterization (PolyRMC). Wu works at PolyRMC under the supervision of professor Wayne Reed to develop means of monitoring and controlling the synthesis of “smart polymers,” which can react to changes in their environment, such as temperature and light, to yield desired properties. Potential applications of such materials are in drug delivery, advanced coatings, electronics and sensors.