“Harnessing dynamic covalent chemistry for reprocessable elastomers”
Dr. Luke A. Baldwin, Research Chemist, Air Force Research Labs (AFRL)
Abstract: Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) are a promising route to develop next-generation materials with enhanced reprocessability and repairability. In this presentation, I will present our recent work on oligosiloxane-based epoxy-thiol CANs designed to manufacture self-healing elastomers. By systematically varying the oligosiloxane side chains, we synthesized a library of elastomers with properties ranging from near-supersoft (elastic modulus < 250 kPa) to highly stretchable (>180% strain). These networks utilize an amine catalyst to facilitate dynamic covalent bonding, enabling fast stress relaxation and excellent mechanical recovery. I will also discuss our efforts toward a bio-based hardener for accessing supersoft networks, focusing on the atomic-level characteristics that control macroscopic properties. Finally, I will highlight how we are harnessing Bayesian optimization and flow chemistry to accelerate the optimization of synthetic reactions.
~20-25 minute presentation.
Short Biography (one paragraph) of Dr. Luke A. Baldwin:
Luke Baldwin is a Research Chemist working to understand organic materials and artificial intelligence (AI) coupled synthesis at the Air Force Research Labs (AFRL). He received a BSc from Carroll University and PhD in Chemistry from The Ohio State University. Luke began his independent career at AFRL in 2018 and has since received many early career allocated including two prestigious 3-year Fellowships from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (2021, 2026), the ACS-PMSE Emerging Investigator Award (2025), and the AFRL Early Career Award (2025). Broadly, his research focuses on harnessing organic materials chemistry, continuous flow chemistry, and digital chemistry methods to investigate structure-property correlations within synthesis materials.
“Nonnatural Materials from Nature”
Dr. Peter A. Mirau, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Labs (AFRL)
Abstract: The focus of our research is to use nature to create new materials with emergent properties, including discovering DNA aptamers to bind biomarkers of human performance and the engineering organic-inorganic biocomposites. The biocompostes are created from the interactions of low complexity protein domains with polyphosphate. The combination of synthetic biology and materials characterization has been used to identify the reaction mechanisms that can be borrowed from nature to create these new materials.
~20-25 minute presentation.
Bio: Peter A. Mirau received a BA in chemistry from the University of California Santa Barbara and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of California at San Francisco studying drug-DNA interactions. Following a post doc at the University of California at San Diego he transitioned to AT&T Bell Laboratories where he studied polymer physics, mainly using NMR spectroscopy. He moved to the Air Force Research to study biomaterials and is the author of many publications on biomaterials and polymer physics and is the author and coauthor of several books on NMR.