Recent progress in the science of complex coacervation

Complex coacervation is an associative, liquid-liquid phase separation that can occur in solutions of oppositely-charged macromolecular species, such as proteins, polymers, and colloids. This process results in a coacervate phase, which is a dense mix of the oppositely-charged components, and a supernatant phase, which is primarily devoid of these same species. First observed almost a century ago, coacervates have since found relevance in a wide range of applications; they are used in personal care and food products, cutting edge biotechnology, and as a motif for materials design and self-assembly. There has recently been a renaissance in our understanding of this important class of material phenomena,…

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  National Science Foundation

  Awards: DMR-1654158, 1804177, 1727660, CBET-1804177, CAREER, 1654158
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  Division of Materials Research

  Awards: DMR-1654158, 1654158
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  Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems

  Award: 1804177
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  Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation

  Awards: 1727660, CAREER, CMMI-1727660