Nathan Brown

Bio

Nate Brown holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University with a Material Science and Engineering minor. During his undergraduate years, Nate delved into the world of research, investigating topics ranging from the interfacial degradation of DNA through molecular simulations to the exploration of structure and composition-dependent thermoelectric behaviors for self-powered wearable sensors. Additionally, he explored lattice macrostrains within ultrathin LEDs, developing a diverse interest at the intersection of materials science and engineering.

Following his undergraduate studies, Nate transitioned to graduate school, obtaining a certificate in Materials Informatics and earning his M.S. in Material Science and Engineering in 2023. His graduate research focuses on elucidating the reductive effects of gelatin hydrogels to minimize catalyst content and post-processing requirements in polymer synthesis via ATRP.

Currently, Nate’s research interests center around polymer chemistry, functional crosslinked systems, organophosphate hydrolysis, and the development of functionalized non-wovens to increase fertilizer efficiency via organic phosphate degradation. By doing so, he aims to mitigate fertilizer overuse in agriculture, contributing to sustainable farming practices. Nate is driven by the responsible innovation of future materials which is supported by a passion for exploring novel functional chemistries and their applications in soft and non-woven materials.

Area(s) of Expertise

Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering