Robert Riggleman
Professor and Undergraduate Curriculum Chair
Contact
Tel: 215-898-2411
Email: rrig@seas.upenn.edu
Research Website | Publications
About
Robert Riggleman is an Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. After obtaining his bachelors in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, he joined the research groups of Profs. Paul Nealey and Juan de Pablo for his PhD studies, which were completed in 2007. Robert continued to work with Prof. de Pablo briefly as a postdoc before moving on to a second postdoctoral position at the University of California, Santa Barbara, under the advisement of Prof. Glenn Fredrickson. Robert subsequently joined Penn in 2010 and has been in the department since. Robert’s research interests involve the use of theoretical and computational tools to study the properties of soft matter. A current focus of the group is in understanding failure in polymer networks and in the development of novel simulation approaches to study multiphase materials in both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions over a range of length scales.
Research Interests
Our group develops minimal models that allow us to predict and understand molecular behavior of soft matter systems. We primarily focus on dynamic and mechanical properties in addition to equilibrium thermodynamics and self-assembly to design materials with novel structure and properties. We adopt a multiscale modeling approach that spans from atomistic to coarse-grained and field-theoretic simulations to understand complex systems. Some examples of our ongoing work include designing nanoscale structure in confined polymer blends and block copolymers; predicting the properties of charge-containing polymers; and developing novel models of liquid-crystalline materials.
Soft Matter and Complex Fluids; Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology; Molecular Simulation and Thermodynamics
Educational Background
Ph.D.: University of Wisconsin, Madison (2007)
B.E.: University of South Carolina, Columbia (2002)
Awards
2023 AIChE Distinguished Teaching Award