In the world of biomedicine, energy, optics, engineering, and dielectrics, materials are the building block for the incredible applications developed. However, when a new problem presents itself, scientists often do not have the materials equipped to solve the problem at hand. In the event that a material is not available, new materials need to be invented. Dr. Brian Benicewicz, Professor of Chemistry and SmartState Chair of Polymer Nanocomposites at the University of South Carolina, develops new materials with properties or combinations of properties that did not exist previously. In particular, he and his team make polymers that other scientists or industry is in need of, motivated by the applications that have the potential to “make life better.” Therefore, his research may have benefits for the growth of new energy technologies, biomedical applications, and more!

The materials created in Dr. Benicewicz’s lab are not the materials that researchers can easily “send away for in a cataloge.” Rather, his work provides personalized innovation for each problem that requires a completely new material with useful properties. In order to produce such individualized materials, he has developed strong collaboration with industrial partners and long-term academic collaborators. Through such close partnerships, his work continues to be guided by the needs of scientists working in the field ensuring that the impact of his research remains at the forefront. Furthermore, he and his team are able to create some of the most unique materials with properties that have never before been realized. When not geared towards a problem, Dr. Benicewicz’s research is still an important underlying foundation for the science of polymer synthesis. In short, whether solving completely new materials problems for the academic or industrial community or building on the underlying principles of polymer science, Dr. Benicewicz’s research is a cause that spans the entire spectrum of basic research to applied.

Current research includes:

• Energy Applications: Dr. Benicewicz and his team are developing polymer membranes for fuel cells and other energy applications. Extending this research may help him and his team answer how to get energy from solar power. Past success in his lab has led to the development of commercial scale devices.

• Polymer Nanotechnologies: Dr. Benicewicz is developing polymer nanotechnologies that focuses on the precise polymerization on nanoparticles. In so doing, he and his team have been able to solve a variety of problems with their novel materials. For instance, materials have already played a role in aiding specialists with anticancer or bacterial medicine.

• Building a Toolbox: Much of Dr. Benicewicz research is reliant upon the needs of the community in regards to new materials. Therefore, he and his team continue to build their synthesis toolbox by spending time in labs that require fundamental knowledge in different disciplines. Funding Dr. Benicewicz work would help encourage his students to learn new skills and foster growth in new knowledge for the team.