Professor Johna Leddy in the Chemistry Department at the University of Iowa will investigate the properties of microstructured materials based on ion exchange polymers that can create local magnetic or density gradients on a molecular scale. These materials show great potential for enabling the control of chemical transport based on the magnetic properties of the chemical species. The effect of these materials on the transport properties of various molecules will be characterized using electrochemical methods. This research activity focuses on the investigation of unique materials which can be engineered on a molecular scale to provide enhanced transport for a variety of chemical species. The applications of this technology include fuel cells, batteries, micro flux switches, membrane-based separations, and membrane-based sensors.
