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CRIPT is a partnership between MIT, Citrine Informatics, Dow Chemical, NIST, and the University of Chicago in which a community database for polymer science is developed through an NSF Phase I Convergence Accelerator project. Broader Impacts Innovation & Industry CRIPT NSF MONET Innovations have led to the successful spin-off CRIPT (the Community Resource for Innovation in Polymer Technology). CRIPT provides a platform for people working in polymer science and engineering to capture and share data. CRIPT was launched at MIT with collaborators in academia, industry, and government with the support of an NSF Phase I Convergence Accelerator project. CRIPT App ITE 2134795 Previous Next

Professional development events that leverage center resources to provide unique training opportunities. Broader Impacts Higher Education & Professional Development Training Events Center-Organized Professional Development Opportunities with a Focus in Broader Societal Impacts The U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks (NSF MONET) deploys Training Events as a structured mechanism for delivering professional development at scale — translating center resources into unique, high-impact opportunities that extend trainee formation beyond the research bench. NSF MONET's approach to training is grounded in its Higher Education and Professional Development (HEPD) strategy , which integrates four transformative domains: scientific breadth, innovation and entrepreneurship, outreach and communication, and scientific leadership. Every trainee is exposed to all four tracks, ensuring both breadth and depth of formation. Training Events serve as the programmatic infrastructure through which this breadth is delivered — creating shared experiences that build community, surface career pathways, and generate measurable outcomes across the trainee cohort. The results are documented and significant. The U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks (NSF MONET) 2026 Industry Career Panel — assessed using pre- and post-measures across the full trainee cohort — produced a +1.60-point gain in career-path confidence (out of 10), with 25 of 30 trainees reporting improvement . The same event yielded a +1.03-point gain in commercial translation awareness , directly advancing NSF's post-2025 broader impacts priorities around innovation and partnerships. A parallel 2025 Career Panel similarly demonstrated sustained impact: trainees reported higher confidence across career pathway awareness, with the event subsequently repurposed as an episode of the center's public-facing media — extending its reach beyond the cohort. Training Events are not standalone programming. They function as entry points into NSF MONET's Signature Professional Development Experience (SPDE) ecosystem — catalyzing the student-driven, mentored deep-dives that constitute the center's primary mechanism for depth in professional formation. Center-wide, NSF MONET has completed nearly twice the targeted number of SPDEs , with 100% of trainees reporting improved career readiness . Across the HEPD portfolio, Training Events operationalize a clear, auditable chain from trainee investment to societal return — producing outputs that are not merely experiential but reviewable: documented confidence gains, career pathway awareness, and professional skills that persist beyond the funding period. This is professional development treated as a core, measurable center output , not supplemental programming. Previous Next

Exploring models for research and student training that extend beyond R1 institutions. Broader Impacts Broadening Participation Participation Beyond NSF MONET Broadening Participation Through Cross-Center and Cross-Sector Partnership The U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks (NSF MONET) has built its broadening participation strategy on a simple premise: the reach of a single center multiplies when it works in partnership . NSF MONET has extended its programming beyond its own institutions to other U.S. National Science Foundation Centers for Chemical Innovation (NSF CCIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities, professional societies, and national education networks, producing documented engagement at every level of the STEM pathway. At the SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference, NSF MONET participated in collaborative recruitment among NSF CCIs. In 2024, Directors of Broader Impacts from NSF MONET, the Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry, and the Center for the Mechanical Control of Chemistry shared a single exhibit-hall presence in Phoenix, Arizona. The model was repeated in Columbus, Ohio in 2025, where a joint NSF CCI booth again showcased graduate research and training opportunities to conference attendees. That same conference hosted the NSF MONET-led symposium “Transforming STEM Through Broader Impacts: Strategies for Cultural Relevance,” which convened more than 75 students, postdoctoral scholars, and STEM professionals from the University of Guam, The College of New Jersey, the University of Nevada–Las Vegas, and two NSF CCIs. The session was well received and was adapted into an episode of the Science with Impact podcast, extending its reach well beyond the conference hall. NSF MONET frameworks are now being requested by peer centers. In October 2025, the NSF MONET Director of Broader Impacts delivered a 90-minute workshop on the Special Professional Development Experience (SPDE) framework to 26 Education Directors representing all 20 NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers, direct progress toward the Center’s stretch goal of having its frameworks adopted or adapted by at least ten external institutions, centers, or organizations by 2030. In July 2026, the Center delivered a virtual research-pitch workshop for trainees at a partner NSF CCI, and in August 2026 it co-hosted the NSF CCI Collaborative Coffee Hour at the ACS Fall National Meeting in Chicago alongside the Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry and the Center for Computer-Assisted Synthesis. Institutional partnerships anchor this work. NSF MONET Senior Investigator Dr. Juana Mendenhall chaired the SERMACS symposium on effective and innovative partnerships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and presented in an HBCU Engage session on advancing transformative bidirectional partnerships in chemistry and nanoscience. The Center also supports the Polymer Women Empowerment & Research (PoWER) initiative, which engaged more than 100 participants at Northwestern University in 2024 under the leadership of NSF MONET Senior Investigators Julia Kalow and Monica Olvera de la Cruz. Complementary talks, including a featured presentation at the ACS Women in the Chemical Enterprise networking breakfast at ACS Spring 2025 and the “Beyond the Beaker” symposium for approximately 100 undergraduates in February 2026, connect early-career scientists to concrete professional pathways. Together, these activities demonstrate a replicable, partnership-driven model: NSF MONET does not simply run programs, it builds infrastructure that other centers and institutions adopt. Previous Next

Converting high-touch experiences into NSF MONET Outreach Kits that we develop, deploy, and present to a range of audiences across the country. Broader Impacts Informal Science Communication Outreach Kits NSF MONET's Research-Aligned Outreach Kits: Bringing Polymer Science to Life Three Kits, Three Age Groups, One Mission NSF MONET has developed three evidence-based outreach kits that translate cutting-edge mechanophore research into accessible, hands-on learning experiences. Each kit is designed for a specific age group and has been rigorously tested and refined based on comprehensive feedback from trainees, participants, and facilitators. Chemistry of Slime (Ages 5-8) Overview Developed in partnership with the American Chemical Society Kids Zone , this kit introduces young learners to non-Newtonian fluids through engaging polymer chemistry. Impact at ACS Kids Zone San Diego 2025 90 participants engaged across diverse age groups 58.9% correctly identified slime as both solid and liquid 50.9% demonstrated a significant conceptual shift from sensory observations ("you can hold slime") to chemical mechanism reasoning ("break the bonds of the polymer") Key Learning Outcomes Participants progress from experiential descriptions to molecular-level understanding: Before: "I think that slime is a solid because it is not a liquid like water or milk. You can't hold a liquid like you would to a solid, yet you can hold slime..." After: "I think that to make slime flow more easily, you would have to break the bonds of the polymer. When they break, the polymer doesn't have to hold on to other pieces..." External Validation ACS Program Manager Patricia M. Galvan praised MONET's approach: "I am impressed with the way you incorporated the evaluation into the activity to provide evidence of kids' ideas changing as a result of doing the activity... There were 280 participants at the March Kids Zone in NOLA." Kit Components Complete facilitator guide with pedagogical insights Pre-post assessment materials measuring conceptual depth Branded materials, including stickers and storage boxes All necessary chemistry supplies with safety protocols Access to digital resources and case study Request the Slime Kit Materials Science of Soccer (Ages 9-12) Overview This kit explores the materials inside soccer balls through authentic scientific methods, including tensile testing and wettability testing. Research Foundation The kit builds on work that resulted in: ACS conference presentation Peer-reviewed publication in Journal of Chemical Education (2025, 102(4), 1465-1475) Teaching materials for soccer-themed science camp in Brazil Field-Tested Impact 100% enjoyment reported by 13 fourth-grade participants at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy Media Center Successfully piloted at Cambridge Science Festival with 2.0 revisions Demonstrated learning gains in materials science concepts Version 2.0 Improvements The Materials Science of Soccer Festival Edition 2.0 systematically addressed comprehensive stakeholder feedback: Technical Issues Eliminated Removed protractor-based measurements that caused inconsistencies Replaced with simple observation-based wettability testing (water beads up vs. spreads out) Standardized 3-ball preparation protocol for consistency Instructional Clarity Enhanced Specific participant directions: "Take the exterior layer piece and gently stretch it . " Clear questioning sequence with exact wording provided Step-by-step water testing protocol with timing guidance Opening hook: "Welcome to Materials Science of Soccer! You're about to become materials scientists!" Real-World Connections Built In Rain game scenario: "If you're playing soccer in the rain..." Career connections: "Materials scientists study how different materials behave." Transfer questions: "Name another object that uses similar materials." Kit Components Three demonstration soccer balls (intact, cut open, deconstructed) Materials testing supplies (water, pipettes, spill trays) Complete facilitator guide with framework integration Pre-post assessment materials with a 5-level progression rubric Professional development support for facilitators Digital access to complete materials via Canva Request the Soccer Kit Mechanophores in Action (Ages 13+) Overview This innovative kit connects music to molecular structure through the Multiverse app, allowing participants to explore how weak molecular crosslinkers can create stronger polymer networks—a counterintuitive concept drawn directly from university research. Pilot Success at Cambridge Science Festival 2025 250+ participants engaged in musical polymer activity 10-15 minutes per participant group for deep engagement Rigorous assessment using a pre-post evaluation framework Participant feedback: "I never thought science could be creative like this." Research Connection The activity directly references Wang et al. Science publication findings demonstrating how strategic weaknesses in materials enhance overall strength—principles with applications ranging from car bumpers to biomedical implants. Innovative Multi-Modal Approach Digital Phase: QR code access to the Multiverse app Participants "play" chemical structures as music Build crosslinker molecules and explore stability through sound Physical Phase: Hands-on polymer network construction using beads, fishing line, and Velcro Tensile testing with calibrated spring scales (0-5N for velcro, 0-20N for network) Data collection and pattern recognition Real-time hypothesis testing Through hands-on activities, students build connections between experimentation and molecular-level understanding, moving from sensory observations to chemical reasoning as they explore. On March 22, 2025, the ACS Kids Zone 2025 (San Diego, CA) Glaciers and Polymers event engaged 90 participants through an interactive slime activity. Nearly 59% correctly identified slime as both solid and liquid, and among the 57 participants who initially described slime in observational terms, 29 (50.9%) shifted to chemical mechanism explanations by their follow-up responses. One student's progression captures this shift. Their initial response, "I think that slime is a solid because it is not a liquid like water or milk. You can't hold a liquid...", evolved into: "I think that to make slime flow more easily, you would have to break the bonds of the polymer. When they break, the polymer doesn't have to hold on to other pieces..." This movement from sensory observation to molecular reasoning represents substantial cognitive advancement, with the strongest gains among 8–12 year olds, who made up 41.1% of participants. It's a clear example of how informal science education can make complex chemistry tangible and inspire future scientists. Version 2.0 Enhancements The Musical Mechanophores Festival Edition systematically addressed feedback: Instruction Precision Specific measurement protocols: "Pull spring scale steadily (~1 cm/second) . " Exact material specifications: 50lb/0.6mm fishing line, 30 beads per chain Detailed preparation steps with backup protocols Measurement Accuracy Professional-grade EISCO Spring Scale Newton Meters Calibration protocols ensuring reproducible results Quality control: "Test one complete network setup to confirm design." Research Integration Explicit citation of university research (Wang et al.) Application examples: acrylic paints, adhesives, biomedical hydrogels Professional terminology with scaffolded explanations Kit Components QR codes for Multiverse app access Polymer network testing materials (beads, fishing line, Velcro, rubber bands) Calibrated spring scales for force measurement Complete facilitator guide with pedagogical insights Pre-post assessment index cards Musical crosslinker structure guides Digital resources and complete documentation Request the Mechanophores Kit Evidence-Based Development Process Systematic Feedback Integration All three kits have undergone rigorous evaluation and revision based on: Multiple Data Sources: Annual Trainee Professional Development Surveys Annual Climate Surveys Participant evaluations (90+ index cards from ACS Kids Zone) Google Forms feedback (38+ responses) Facilitator observations across multiple venues Cross-activity comparisons Framework-Driven Design Each kit integrates two evidence-based educational frameworks: CURIOUS Educator Meta-Framework Seven-step approach for brain-aligned content: Connect: Establish relevance Uncover: Reveal problems or gaps Reveal: Introduce concepts Integrate: Connect to existing knowledge Organize: Provide structured steps Unify: Synthesize key takeaways Self-Assessment: Enable reflection SDD Evaluation Framework Quantifies impact using: Scale: Number of participants reached Depth: Level of conceptual understanding achieved Duration: Timeframe and sustained engagement Impact Summary NSF MONET's three research-aligned outreach kits demonstrate how materials science centers can create accessible, evidence-based public engagement that: ✓ Translates cutting-edge research into age-appropriate learning experiences ✓ Demonstrates measurable learning gains through rigorous pre-post assessment ✓ Reaches diverse audiences across ages 5 through adult ✓ Scales globally with distribution to 12+ institutions worldwide ✓ Integrates validated frameworks ensuring pedagogical rigor ✓ Continuously improves through systematic feedback integration ✓ Produces academic outputs including peer-reviewed publications ✓ Partners with major organizations like American Chemical Society The NSF MONET Outreach Kit initiative has changed how polymer science research reaches communities nationwide, turning complex laboratory discoveries into accessible, hands-on educational experiences. Through the Three NSF MONET Outreach Kits (v.2.0) initiative, NSF MONET distributed updated versions of three research-based outreach kits to 13 labs across the country. Evolved through feedback from events like the Cambridge Science Festival and developed in collaboration with the Multiverse Concert Series, MIT, Johns Hopkins, and the American Chemical Society, these kits, from mechanophores to slime chemistry, enable scientists nationwide to bring hands-on chemistry education directly to their communities. By developing comprehensive, research-based kits, refining them through community feedback, and distributing updated versions across the network, this collaborative effort removes the logistical barriers that often prevent meaningful science communication, empowering scientists at every NSF MONET institution to translate cutting-edge research into engaging experiences that spark curiosity and make science education more inclusive and impactful. NSF MONET's Summer Science Kits initiative shows how targeted educational resources can bring hands-on STEM learning directly into the homes of young learners, fostering curiosity and family engagement. From May 21 to 23, 2024, NSF MONET Delivers Engaging Summer Science Kits to Chicago Elementary Students brought STEM education into the homes of 178 third and fourth-grade students at Hayt Elementary School. Led by Christina Hemmingsen, along with Emmanuel Alejandro Garcia Villatoro and Steven Chapman from the Julia Kalow lab at Northwestern University, the team developed and distributed 200 kits as part of a science communication and outreach project, each containing seven take-home activities, lab notebooks, and bilingual English-Spanish lesson guides. The initiative involved collaborations with Phi Lambda Upsilon (Alpha Gamma Chapter) and the International Institute for Nanotechnology, which funded the Gumdrop Graphene activity. Christina Hemmingsen gained valuable skills in program creation, budget tracking, volunteer organization, and community partnership building through the experience, skills she'll carry into future instructor positions in higher education. NSF MONET's Outreach Kit program has expanded access to hands-on chemistry education by delivering comprehensive materials science kits to institutions and organizations across three continents. Since May 3, 2024, External Recipients of Outreach Kits has shipped chemistry kits to 13+ institutions, including Louisiana State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Boston Scientific, Seattle Pacific University, Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium, the United Moroccan American Association in Cleveland, Ohio, Williams College, Monmouth College, Trinity Washington University, Marshall University, California State University, and individual homeschooling families. This diverse network, spanning R1 research universities, liberal arts colleges, corporate partners, community groups, and informal educators, reflects NSF MONET's commitment to making university-level STEM education accessible across varied contexts and demographics, proving that impactful science outreach knows no institutional or geographic boundaries. Previous Next

Exchanging resources and ideas in monthly Developing Innovation, Service, Community, and Outreach (DISCO) moments. Broader Impacts Broadening Participation DISCO Moments Every monthly center meeting includes a "DISCO moment" centered on a concept or best practice related to Developing Innovation, Service, Community, and Outreach (DISCO Moments). All NSF MONET labs lead DISCO moments on a rotating basis. DISCO Slide Repository Previous Next

Engaging, content-rich events for the public, through the Art of Polymers Concert Series—a collaboration between the performing arts and physical sciences with our partners at Multiverse. Broader Impacts Informal Science Communication The Art of Polymers Concert Series The Art of Polymers concert series has transformed how society engages with polymer science and chemistry, creating unprecedented bridges between cutting-edge research and public understanding through immersive musical experiences. The journey began with the Virtual Premiere of Art of Polymers , celebrating the 100th anniversary of artificial polymers while reaching 971 people through both live and recorded formats. Interactive Presentation Building on this momentum, the Art of Polymers Concert Live at MIT brought together 115 in-person attendees and 187 YouTube viewers for an evening of original classical and electronic compositions interwoven with live science demonstrations. The series gained remarkable visibility through national media coverage. Art of Polymers on WGBH Public Radio extended the concert's reach to over 100,000 listeners, with an additional 9,685 YouTube views amplifying the message. Media recognition was further amplified when Art of Polymers was published in Advanced Science News , introducing the innovative fusion of polymer research and musical composition to an international readership and legitimizing artistic science communication in mainstream scientific media. The Climate HOPE Concert exponentially expanded the series' impact, reaching over 800,000 people through NPR's WBUR Boston broadcast and engaging 300 live attendees. This multimedia performance wove together research on sustainable polymers with coral reef restoration, urban regeneration projects, and space exploration, demonstrating how polymer science connects to society's most pressing environmental challenges. The initiative's continued evolution is embodied in Planning and Delivering a New Art of Polymer Compositions & Performances , which charts an ambitious roadmap extending through 2027. This planning phase has produced new compositions based on cutting-edge research, including pieces on sacrificial bonds that challenge assumptions about material strength. The Earthrise Concerto at the Christa McAuliffe Center, featuring 10^4 Rays of Hope from Art of Polymers as the finale, brought the Art of Polymers message to planetarium audiences, featuring "10^4 Rays of Hope" as the grand finale in a program exploring the "one earth" perspective and collective responsibility for global challenges. Most recently, piloting the new Musical Mechanophores Outreach Kit at the Cambridge Science Festival engaged over 250 participants in hands-on exploration of polymer networks. Using the innovative Multiverse app, participants "played" chemical structures as music before testing physical models with beads, fishing line, and Velcro to discover the counterintuitive principle that weak molecular crosslinkers can create stronger polymer networks. Featured on the Science with Impact Podcast , Prof. David Ibbett was interviewed by NSF MONET's Director of Broader Impacts, Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D. to discuss the the process and future of their collaborations. Together, these initiatives have created a scalable, research-grounded model for science communication that has reached over one million people across live performances, broadcasts, digital platforms, and hands-on outreach. The Art of Polymers series proves that when scientists and artists collaborate authentically, they can transform abstract molecular concepts into experiences that resonate emotionally, intellectually, and culturally—ultimately strengthening society's relationship with scientific innovation and inspiring the next generation of STEAM thinkers. Art of Polymers: Meeting New Audiences Where They Are The Chemistry in the Universe concert at Harvard Science Center used an astronomy-themed gateway (the journey from the Big Bang to macromolecules) to draw an audience that wouldn't typically attend a science lecture. Of the 120 attendees who sold out the June 2026 performance, 30% identified as non-scientists and 28% as artists, while the audience overall reported significantly higher prior concert attendance than science lecture attendance. The format worked. Over 90 minutes of collaborative animation, live musical performance, and dialogue between a NSF MONET scientist and a Center for Astrophysics researcher, attendees experienced a measurable conceptual shift. Before the concert, 44% described polymers using surface-level terms like plastics, rubber, or slime. Afterward, 98% used scientific language: chains, macromolecules, bonds. And 96% of respondents said they wanted to learn more about chemistry. The Art of Polymers demonstrates that when you meet audiences through experiences they already value, the science doesn't just reach them. It stays with them. Chemistry in the Universe: Extending Impact Beyond the Concert Hall The Chemistry in the Universe concert was designed not just as a one-time event, but as a gateway to ongoing engagement. Analytics from the 30-day window following the June 6 performance show that the strategy worked. Before the concert, traffic to the interactive universe experience was minimal. Immediately after, engagement spiked: 56 unique visitors generated 201 pageviews, spending an average of nearly 4 minutes exploring the staged journey from the Big Bang to macromolecules. The digital extension broadened access beyond the Harvard Science Center audience. While most visitors were U.S.-based, traffic also came from China, India, and Mexico, and 64% accessed the experience on mobile devices. Page behavior showed sustained exploration across all four stages of the simulation rather than homepage-only visits. For an informal science communication activity, this pattern is significant: it demonstrates that the concert catalyzed continued learning and transformed a 90-minute performance into an accessible, asynchronous experience that met audiences wherever they were. Chemistry of the Universe: A Reusable Visual Asset for NSF MONET Science with Impact developed a 60-minute concert animation for NSF MONET's Chemistry in the Universe performance at Harvard Science Center. The film spans 17 scenes, tracing the chemical arc of the cosmos from the Big Bang through quarks, atoms, and small molecules to polymerization. There is no spoken script. The science communicates through structure, geometry, and emergence. Built in Unity, the animation combines physics-driven simulation with a pedagogically sequenced timeline. Molecular structures are rendered with explicit geometry and valence-aware components rather than post-hoc visual approximations, supporting scientific fidelity across screenings. A choreography layer generates discovery cues and zoom prompts tied to chemistry-specific educational language, making the invisible visible for audiences across disciplines. The production was designed for longevity: modular scene chapters, deterministic playback controls, and telemetry logging allow future screenings, classroom integration, and remixes. Chemistry of the Universe is both a communication artifact and a replicable technical framework, demonstrating how computational tools can bridge research-grade complexity with public understanding. Previous Next

The U.S. National Science Foundation's Center for Molecularly Optimized Networks (NSF MONET) is transforming polymer and materials chemistry by developing the knowledge and methods to enable molecular-level, chemical control of polymer network properties for the betterment of humankind. Welcome to NSF MONET ABOUT RESEARCH Impacts NSF MONET's overarching goal is to advance the field of polymer science through innovative research while actively engaging and inspiring the public . NSF MONET's polymer scientists advance interconnected, adaptive molecular networks. The chemistry of the future is driven by: DEVELOPMENT PARTICIPATION COMMUNICATION INNOVATION Through our research programs and broader impacts, we aim to enhance retention in the sciences, increase interest in pursuing a Ph.D., and expand participation. We are dedicated to promoting STEM : We aim to provide opportunities for as many people as possible to engage meaningfully with STEM. We partner with a range of organizations to broaden participation widely. If you would like to propose a partnership to broaden participation in STEM, please contact us. NSF MONET's polymer scientists drive interconnected , adaptive societal networks, broadening impact! Impact Gallery

Impactful Programs As with our research, we seek to be distinct and distinctive in our broader impact efforts by targeting high-impact activities we couldn’t pull off in our laboratories alone. Click on our areas of activity to toggle them on and off and display highlights of our ongoing efforts: Training Events Learn More Lab Exchanges Learn More Technique Tutorials Learn More Signature Professional Development Experiences Learn More The Art of Polymers Concert Series Learn More Industry Partnerships Learn More Research Translations Learn More CRIPT Learn More Data Tools Learn More Outreach Kits Learn More DISCO Moments Learn More Undergraduate Research Experiences Learn More

Explore exciting opportunities to advance polymer chemistry and broaden STEM participation with MONET. Join Us As a center, we seek partnership opportunities with other institutions, researchers, outreach efforts, and industry. To view and sort current partnership opportunities by type, use the tags below: Industry Institutional Join MONET Outreach Industry Partnerships Transforming Polymer Science Through Industry Collaborations Read More Outreach Kits Converting high-touch experiences into NSF MONET Outreach Kits that we develop, deploy, and present to a range of audiences across the country. Read More Participation Beyond NSF MONET Exploring models for research and student training that extend beyond R1 institutions. Read More Undergraduate Research Experiences Expanding access to laboratory research projects through the NSF MONET Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) program. Read More

Driving interconnected , adaptive societal impacts across four areas:

Meet our team of distinguished researchers and staff driving MONET's mission. OUR TEAM Our award-winning team comprises senior investigators from across the country and the globe, as well as traditional subfields of chemistry, working together to advance our molecular understanding of polymer networks. We are united by a commitment to high impact through collaboration, broadening the impact of our research through integrated outreach to industry and the public, and supportive recruitment, advising, and mentoring. SENIOR INVESTIGATORS TRAINEES EXTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD Senior Investigators Stephen Craig Principal Investigator Duke University Steve Craig is an expert in using single molecule force spectroscopy of synthetic polymers to characterize the full extensional behavior of individual polymer strands. Learn More Principal Investigator Luis Campos Senior Investigator Columbia University Luis Campos explores molecular, macromolecular, and nanostructured materials to develop advanced functional systems. Learn More Senior Investigator Jeremiah A. Johnson Senior Investigator Massachusetts Institute of Technology Jeremiah Johnson has created iterative exponential growth (IEG) chemistry that can be implemented in either flow or batch mode to provide access to perfectly monodisperse polymer strands of precise sequence for Center research projects. Learn More Senior Investigator Julia Kalow Senior Investigator Northwestern University Julia Kalow is developing synthetic strategies for translating molecular structure and reactivity into macroscopic properties, including photochemically gated junctions that allow spatiotemporal control of junction dynamics throughout a network. Learn More Senior Investigator Rebekka Klausen Senior Investigator Johns Hopkins University Rebekka Klausen designs and synthesizes novel molecular building blocks to construct exciting nanoscale materials. Learn More Senior Investigator Heather Kulik Senior Investigator Massachusetts Institute of Technology Heather Kulik leverages computational modeling to aid the discovery of new materials and mechanisms. Learn More Senior Investigator Juana Mendenhall Senior Investigator Morehouse College Dr. Mendenhall is currently the Walter E. Massey Professor of Physical Sciences at Morehouse College, President and Founder of TheraViscTM, LLC, and the TEDx licensee for TEDx Morehouse College. Her ground-breaking medical technology shows real potential in healing osteoarthritis. Learn More Senior Investigator Jeffrey S. Moore Senior Investigator University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Jeffrey Moore synthesizes and studies large organic molecules to discover new polymeric materials. Learn More Senior Investigator Alshakim Nelson Senior Investigator University of Washington Alshakim Nelson develops stimuli-responsive materials and bio-hybrid materials that are designed for additive manufacturing processes. Learn More Senior Investigator Bradley D. Olsen Senior Investigator Massachusetts Institute of Technology Brad Olsen has developed and applied multiple state-of-the-art techniques for characterizing the properties of polymer networks in general and dynamic networks in particular. Learn More Senior Investigator Monica Olvera de la Cruz Senior Investigator Northwestern University Monica Olvera de la Cruz develops models to describe the self-assembly of heterogeneous molecules and the segregation and interface adsorption in multicomponent complex fluids. Learn More Senior Investigator Michael Rubinstein Senior Investigator Duke University Michael Rubinstein has developed theories of dynamic and covalent networks, including models of both thermodynamics and dynamics of unentangled and entangled reversible networks and gels. Learn More Senior Investigator Nancy Sottos Senior Investigator University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Nancy Sottos studies the mechanical behavior of various complex, heterogeneous materials through meso, micro, and nanoscale characterizing deformation and failure mechanisms. Learn More Senior Investigator Nicole Steinmetz Senior Investigator University of California, San Diego Nicole Steinmetz is helping MONET push polymer networks across new frontiers through the design, development and testing of materials and biologics derived from conjugated virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from plants. Learn More Senior Investigator External Advisory Board We are fortunate to have an expert and dedicated advisory board that pushes us to be distinct and distinctive in every one of our science and broader impact activities. Cameron Brown Eastman Chemical Co. Thomas Epps III University of Delaware Jeannette Garcia IBM Brett Helms Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Malika Jeffries-El Boston University Eugenia Kumacheva University of Toronto Janice McDonnell Rutgers University Emily Pentzer Texas A&M University Trainees Abe Herzog-Arbeitman Graduate Student Alayna Johnson Alumni Alexis Martell Monterroza Graduate Student Allison Rattay Undergraduate Researcher Ana Paula Kitos Vasconcelos Graduate Student Anna Gray Davis Graduate Student Annika (Alex) Foret Alumni Anthony Mack Graduate Student Brian Richard Carrick Graduate Student Brogan Dietsche Undergraduate Researcher Calvin Shih Graduate Student Chinyere (Connie) Okeke Undergraduate Researcher Christina Hemmingsen Graduate Student Chuting Deng Postdoctoral Researcher Claire Ogilvie Graduate Student Clara Troyano-Valls Alumni Cody Ng Alumni Curt Waltmann Alumni Danyang Chen Alumni Devosmita Sen Graduate Student Dylan Gregson Undergraduate Researcher Edgar Mejia Alumni Elvis McFee Alumni Emily Wearing Alumni Emmanuel Alejandro Garcia Villatoro Graduate Student

Learn about MONET's mission, research vision, partner institutions, leadership, and impact areas. Transforming polymer & materials chemistry By developing the knowledge and methods to enable molecular-level, chemical control of polymer network properties for the betterment of humankind. WHY A CENTER? We treat networks as complex chemical systems so that the full power of synthetic, physical, and theoretical chemistry is rationally directed toward overarching challenges in de novo molecular network design. OUR TEAM OUR RESEARCH SOCIETAL IMPACT