معرفی
Reika Katsumata is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research focuses on establishing design rules for extremely confined soft/hard interfaces, bridging precise polymer synthesis with nanoscale material miniaturization. She investigates how extreme confinement (<10 nm) alters thermophysical properties, emphasizing dynamics, mechanics, and wettability of polymers.
- B.Eng. & M.Eng., Tokyo Institute of Technology (2009, 2011)
- Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2016)
Her work employs fluorescence spectroscopy, rapid thermal annealing, and film-stress measurements to address challenges in nanocomposites, ultra-thin coatings, and 2D materials. Recent studies explore defect healing in graphene, polymer-assisted porous carbon synthesis, and interfacial control of ferroelectric capacitors. She received an NSF CAREER award in 2021 for her work on multi-scale polymer dynamics.
Key trends in her publications include polymer dynamics under nanoconfinement, interfacial interactions in hybrid materials, and scalable fabrication methods like roll-to-roll processing. Her research has implications for electronics, energy systems, and sustainable materials.
Scientific Awards:
- NSF CAREER Award (2021)
