Research
The Pozzo Research Group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington develops and controls self-assembly processes for soft materials at nano and micrometer scales.
We combine laboratory automation, high-throughput experimentation, and AI-driven approaches with small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering to accelerate materials discovery. Our work spans next-generation battery materials, functional emulsions for medical imaging, and open-source tools for autonomous experimentation.
Technologies developed in our laboratory have led to three startup companies: JanuTech, Membrion Inc., and PolyDrop LLC. Over 120 students have trained in the lab since 2007.
In the Lab
Latest News
August 11, 2026
Congratulations, Dr. Benstead!
Claire Benstead successfully defended her dissertation, titled “Characterization of Engineered Living Hydrogel Membranes for Modular SynBio Manufacturing,” on August 11, 2026, at the Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute. Claire was co-advised by Prof. David Bergsman and Prof. Lilo Pozzo, and...
August 7, 2026
Congratulations, Dr. Wylie!
Zachery (Zach) Wylie successfully defended his dissertation, titled “Nanostructured Materials for Sustainable Energy: Synthesis, Assembly, and Recovery,” on August 7, 2026, in Allen Auditorium. He became the 19th PhD student to graduate from the Pozzo group, and now holds a...
October 6, 2025
Congratulations, Dr. Li!
Karen Li successfully defended her dissertation, titled “Block Copolymer and Conjugated Polymer Blends for Mixed Conducting Materials,” on October 6, 2025, at the Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute. Karen now holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
Featured Publications
118. An automated sampling workflow for parallel long-term membrane diffusion cell testing
C. Benstead, M. Politi, D.S. Bergsman, L.D. Pozzo
Digital Discovery, 5(3), 1312-1324 (2026) Open Access
L. Guio, P. Sommerville, L.D. Pozzo, C.K. Luscombe
ACS Polymers Au, 6(1), 388-398 (2026) Open Access
114. Assembly of small silica nanoparticles using lipid-tethered DNA ‘bonds’
H.T. Chiang, N. Kern, Z.R. Wylie, A. Moeez, H. Zhang, D. McKeen, N. SM Herringer, O. Gang, A.L. Ferguson, Z. Sherman, L.D. Pozzo
Soft Matter, 21(48), 9398-9411 (2025)
K. Vaddi, H.T. Chiang, A. Grey, Z.R. Wylie, L.D. Pozzo
npj Computational Materials, 11(1), 335 (2025) Open Access
110. Synthesis, assembly, and electrochemical performance of ultrasmall Sb₂S₃ nanoparticles
Z.R. Wylie, G.K. Lee, S. Lee, A. Moeez, G. Ren, J.C. Idrobo, P. Pauzauskie, L.D. Pozzo, V. Holmberg
J. Mater. Chem. A, 13, 31292 (2025)
106. Surfactant-assisted phase selective sonochemical synthesis of sodium yttrium fluoride nanoparticles
F. Baum, L. Forberger, A.B. Bard, R. Gariepy, P.J. Pauzauskie, L.D. Pozzo
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 114, 107275 (2025) Open Access