Department of Chemistry

The Ashby Group

The Ashby Group

One focus in the Ashby Group is the synthesis of functionalized dienes with groups ranging from ethers to amines. We have recently reported the use of tertiary amine functionalized poly(isoprene) materials as efficient gene transfection agents at low concentrations and current work is focused on developing guidelines for material design. Group members are also investigating new methods for fabricating poly(thiophene) based organic solar cells, and have developed a method for enhanced processing of poly(thiophene) by functionalizing the aromatic ring to maintain solubility after polymer formation. Films are then able to be solvent cast followed by thermolysis of the functional group to form insoluble films.

 

The Ashby Group

The Ashby Group

Members of the Ashby Group focus on the synthesis of functionalized materials with applications ranging from biology to alternative energy. We synthesize degradable polyester based material to take advantage of their enhanced biocompatibility and high degree of physical and chemical control. The materials we have synthesized range in applications from cell scaffolds to degradable shape memory devices.

A need in current biomaterials is the integration of functional groups into degradable polymers to impart properties for specialized applications. Two methods we employ utilize cyclization chemistry through "click" type reactions and Diels-Alder chemistry to integrate polar groups into a polyester backbone. Group members are also investigating functionalization chemistry based on aminooxy coupling reactions.

 

Contact Information

AREA CONTACT PHONE
Administration Ruth Hyde 919-962-2173
Accounting & Sponsored Research Karen Holmes 919-962-1189
Human Resources Nancy Ray 919-962-2174
Karen Gilliam 919-843-3452
Student Services Graduate Inquiries 919-843-7826
Undergraduate Inquiries 919-843-7827
Technical Support & Facilities John Beres 919-843-0934
Harlan Mangum 919-966-1228
Undergraduate Laboratories Lisa Volaric 919-843-7218
Mark Koza 919-843-8853
Web Content & Information Management Lars Sahl 919-962-6193
General Inquiries   919-843-7100
Fax   919-962-2388

 

Department Mailing Address

Department of Chemistry
Campus Box 3290
Caudill and Kenan Laboratories
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290

 

Department Shipping Address

Department of Chemistry
Kenan 008
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290

 

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