Soft matter is a large class of materials that includes liquids and liquid crystals, polymers and colloids, and biological materials. They are defined by their ability to easily move between different conformational states. Soft matter can move into many different metastable states without wasting much energy or effort. Dr. Alexei Sokolov and his research team study molecular motions and the ways to control them by tuning structure, chemistry and molecular interactions  in liquids, polymers and in biological systems.

The study of molecular motions is used to design novel materials with significantly improved performance in comparison to the materials currently used in various technologies.  

These molecular motions are important for many different applications. Among them:

• Energy storage and batteries

• Water desalination and water purification

• Carbon capture and natural gas purification

• Drug delivery and bio-preservation

Sokolov and his team work to answer questions like, “How can we move water through a polymer membrane but reject all the salts?” “Can we efficiently separate certain gas molecules by moving them through polymer membranes?” It all comes down to the study of how can we selectively control molecular motion through different materials. The research team focuses on controlling molecular motions, the key to life in biological materials and vaccine preservation, the key to water purification and reduction of carbon emission, and enhancement of ion motions to improve battery performance.

Sokolov has a patent in biopreservation, where the research team has developed a solvent capable of storing biological material at room temperature for 10 years with no degradation. Under normal circumstances, these proteins would degrade within days or weeks. Using this technology,  the materials needed to produce vaccines and biological materials can be dissolved back in water from the solvent and be as fresh as if they were just produced.

Another patent is for polymer membranes designed to separate CO2 from other gases. This technology could be used to drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions, e.g. from electrical power stations.  

The technology behind these patents is still being improved upon. Better and better performance is being achieved in the lab every day.

Sokolov works with people at the University of Tennessee; experts in the study of structures at different nanoscales, experts in synthesis (sophisticated chemistry), and scientists from Oak Ridge National Laboratory who do computer simulations and computer based modeling. The team has published many works with several groups from around the world.

The future of this research includes:

1. Bio-preservation of vaccines, blood

Current bio-preservation technologies include cryopreservation and dry-store technologies. The novelty of the lab’s approach is in the unique formulation for stabilization of biological materials at room temperature, which combines chemicals from both traditional cryopreservation (glycerol) and dry preservation (sugars). Development of the proposed technology would eliminate problems with improper storage and handling, decrease widespread waste of vaccines, and introduce cost-effective interventions to improve public health. The technology also has the potential of increasing storage shelf life, an advantage which results in preservation of many important therapeutics and blood.

     2. Polymer electrolytes for more efficient batteries

Development of solid electrolytes is one of the key enabling aspects of improving energy density and performance of lithium batteries. The lab is developing solid polymer electrolytes based on a multiblock copolymer that will enable high ionic conductivity, sufficient mechanical properties to suppress dendrite formation, significant improvement in battery safety, and electrochemical stability.

     3. Polymer membranes for CO2 separation

Reduction of CO2 emissions is an extremely important global challenge affecting the future of the entire planet. The overarching goal of this project is to develop a cost effective membrane system with unprecedented permeability and desired selectivity for efficient carbon capture from a flue-gas.

Can we improve batteries? Can we extend the lifetime of biological systems? It all comes down to the study of how can we control molecular and ion motions, and how this affects properties of different materials. Molecular motions are the key to life in biological organisms. Dr. Alexei Sokolov, and his research team at the University of Tennessee, study ways to control molecular and ion motions to develop more efficient technologies for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, water desalination, batteries, vaccine preservation and more.