Stephen Martin

Stephen Martin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota (2004) and a B.S. from Princeton University (1999). His research focuses on soft materials, interfaces, self-assembly, and chemical separations using structured fluids. Key areas include surface functionalization via Langmuir-Blodgett techniques and nanocomposite membranes for environmental applications like carbon capture and water desalination.

His work emphasizes material design, nanotechnology, and sustainable solutions for challenging separations. Recent studies involve Mg-MOF-74 for carbon capture, CNC-filled membranes for gas separation, and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose aerogels. He leads a research group exploring polymer thin films, interfacial phenomena, and advanced membrane technologies.

Notable contributions include innovations in membrane performance optimization, nanocomposite stability, and defect engineering in composite materials. His research bridges fundamental material science with practical applications in environmental and industrial sectors.