Xiaodan Gu is the Nina Bell Suggs endowed professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss).[1] Since 2017, Gu has been a professor at Southern Miss where his research involves studying the physics and morphology of conjugatedpolymers.[2]
Gu's work in polymer science has resulted in a number of recognitions including the NSF CAREER Award and the DOE Early Career Research Award.
Gu's research focuses primarily on polymer semiconductors and the influence that physical forces have on their properties and morphology. Gu's lab investigates donor-acceptor polymers for use in stretchable electronics by studying how the morphology of thin films can be manipulated to achieve specific electronic and optical properties. In working towards this goal, Gu's lab has developed a method to investigate the mechanical properties of ultra-thin polymer films.[8] The method, called the Shear Motion Assisted Robust Transfer (SMART) method employs the use of a liquid support to accomplish a pseudo-free-standing tensile test.[9]
Gu's lab also focuses on characterization methods for understanding the structure, chain conformation, and various polymer dynamics that influence the macroscopic properties of conjugated polymers. His research in X-ray and neutron scattering was recently featured in "35 Challenges in Materials Science Being Tackled by PIs under 35," published by Matter.[10] Gu stated that his goal is to "combat the challenges associated with developing autonomous in-situ characterization that can speed up new materials discovery."[10][11][12]
In 2018, Gu was named as a leader for the future Center for Optoelectronic Materials and Devices at Southern Miss which plans to promote collaborative research in emerging areas of polymer optoelectronics.[13]
