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Everett Zofchak

Everett Zofchak

Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

CONTACT

ez33@rice.edu

WEBSITE(S)| Profile | Zofchak Research Group

SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: Charged polymers are ubiquitous materials relevant to a variety of fields including biology, energy, separations, and consumer products. In many applications, charged polymers come in contact with water, strongly influences their transport properties. Developing fundamental relationships between ion chemistry, solvation, water partitioning, and ion transport is key to understanding the properties of charged polymers and improving their performance in emerging applications, such as electrochemical devices and separation membranes. In this project, we will explore the relationship between polymer chemistry, water uptake, and ion transport.

Potential skills gained: polymer synthesis, polymer characterization, computation, scientific communication, writing

Required qualifications: none listed

Direct mentor: Faculty/P.I., Graduate Student

Research Areas

Dr. Zofchak’s research focuses on elucidating how polymer chemistry and structure dictate the transport of ions and small molecules in soft materials. Through studies of polymer membranes and ionomers, his group seeks to uncover the physical principles governing rapid and selective transport—phenomena that ultimately limit device-level performance in separation and electrochemical energy technologies. By integrating macroscopic transport measurements, spectroscopy, molecular simulations, and modeling, his group develops a comprehensive understanding of transport in polymers that guides the rational design of new materials for improved separation, energy storage and generation, and resource recovery technologies.