Research
The Pozzo Research Group in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington develops and controls self-assembly processes for soft materials at nano and micrometer scales.
We combine laboratory automation, high-throughput experimentation, and AI-driven approaches with small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering to accelerate materials discovery. Our work spans next-generation battery materials, functional emulsions for medical imaging, and open-source tools for autonomous experimentation.
Technologies developed in our laboratory have led to three startup companies: JanuTech, Membrion Inc., and PolyDrop LLC. Over 120 students have trained in the lab since 2007.
In the Lab
Latest News
June 6, 2025
Congratulations, Dr. Pelkie!
Brenden Pelkie successfully defended his dissertation, titled “Automated and Autonomous Experiments for Sol-Gel Nanomaterial Synthesis,” on May 30th, 2025. His presentation highlighted his work in developing new tools and software for accessible lab automation, with a focus on optimizing silica...
June 6, 2024
Congratulations, Dr. Guio!
Lorenzo Guio successfully defended his dissertation, titled “Understanding the Relationships between the Structure and the Physical Properties of Conjugated Polymers using Particle Scattering and Electronic Properties,” on June 3rd, 2024. His presentation highlighted his work in furthering our understanding of...
June 5, 2024
Congratulations, Dr. Politi!
On May 29th, 2024, Maria Politi successfully defended her dissertation, titled “Open Science Materials Acceleration Platforms for Clean Energy Material Design Spaces.” Maria’s presentation highlighted her contributions to self-driving laboratories (SDLs) by developing low-cost, open-source platforms and tools for automated...
Featured Publications
118. An automated sampling workflow for parallel long-term membrane diffusion cell testing
C. Benstead, M. Politi, D.S. Bergsman, L.D. Pozzo
Digital Discovery, 5(3), 1312-1324 (2026) Open Access
L. Guio, P. Sommerville, L.D. Pozzo, C.K. Luscombe
ACS Polymers Au, 6(1), 388-398 (2026) Open Access
114. Assembly of small silica nanoparticles using lipid-tethered DNA ‘bonds’
H.T. Chiang, N. Kern, Z.R. Wylie, A. Moeez, H. Zhang, D. McKeen, N. SM Herringer, O. Gang, A.L. Ferguson, Z. Sherman, L.D. Pozzo
Soft Matter, 21(48), 9398-9411 (2025)
K. Vaddi, H.T. Chiang, A. Grey, Z.R. Wylie, L.D. Pozzo
npj Computational Materials, 11(1), 335 (2025) Open Access
110. Synthesis, assembly, and electrochemical performance of ultrasmall Sb₂S₃ nanoparticles
Z.R. Wylie, G.K. Lee, S. Lee, A. Moeez, G. Ren, J.C. Idrobo, P. Pauzauskie, L.D. Pozzo, V. Holmberg
J. Mater. Chem. A, 13, 31292 (2025)
106. Surfactant-assisted phase selective sonochemical synthesis of sodium yttrium fluoride nanoparticles
F. Baum, L. Forberger, A.B. Bard, R. Gariepy, P.J. Pauzauskie, L.D. Pozzo
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 114, 107275 (2025) Open Access