This $225,000 National Science Foundation project grant, funded under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041), will support research at the City University of New York on phase-selective gelation of immiscible oil-water mixtures. Over a three-year period ending January 2026, the grantee will conduct the first systematic study of inducing gelation selectively in either the oil or water phase of a mixture through self-assembly of designed amphiphilic molecules. The research aims to develop design rules linking molecular structure, interfacial properties, and gel structure/rheology. A range of molecules will be synthesized and tested for their ability to gel one phase without emulsifying or solubilizing into the other. Insights could help design new materials to remediate oil spills or contaminated groundwater. Educational and outreach activities are also supported under this award, which reflects the NSF's mission to improve engineering research and education.
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