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Christopher Stafford (Fed)
Project Leader, Polymer Membranes
Project Overview
We develop advanced measurement methods to quantify the structure, dynamics, and transport of small molecules in polymer membranes and sorbents. Our current focus is on polyamide membranes for water purification and amine-based sorbents for carbon capture.
Objectives
- Design model systems with controlled chemistry and structure
- Develop multimodal measurement platforms to probe dynamics and transport
- Link structure to performance in commercially relevant materials
- Facilitate industrial adoption of advanced measurement platforms
Impact
Our work establishes the measurement science needed to design next-generation membranes and sorbents with improved selectivity, efficiency, and durability.
Guiding Principle
“An experiment is a question which science poses to Nature, and a measurement is the recording of Nature’s answer.”
— Max Planck
Research Interests
- Polymer thin films and membranes
- Water and ion transport
- Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration
- CO2 sorption
- Direct Air Capture (DAC)
- Surface wrinkling and patterning
Google Scholar: publications and citations
Research Opportunities
National Research Council (NRC) Research Associates Program (RAP)
- RO# 50.64.21.C0762 "Polymer Membranes and Sorbents for CO2 Capture"
- RO# 50.64.21.B7643 "Polymer Membranes for Water Purification"
- RO# 50.64.21.B5585 "Nanomechanical Properties of Polymer Thin Films"
Awards
ACS ChemLuminary Award for Outstanding Global Partnership (2025)
U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award (2024)
MML Accolade for Outstanding Mentor (2024)
Fellow of the ACS POLY Division (2024)
Fellow of the American Chemical Society (2023)
Fellow of the ACS PMSE Division (2018)
Fellow of the American Physical Society (2017)
MML Accolade for Technology Transfer (2016)
Adhesion Society Outstanding Young Adhesion Scientist Award(2010)
U.S. Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award (2007)
NIST Sigma Xi Young Scientist Award for Excellence in Scientific Research (2006)
U.S. Department of Commerce Silver Medal Award (2005)
National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associateship (2002-2004)