Overview
Research interests of Keshavarz’s group are at the intersection of fluid dynamics and soft matter mechanics. We are particularly interested in dynamics of complex fluids in complex flows. Inspired by the biofabrication process of natural hydrogels, we aim to harness hydrodynamic instabilities to fabricate responsive soft apparatuses that exhibit dynamic functionality over a wide range of deformation timescales. Our approach incorporates a number of interdisciplinary studies on properties of complex fluids with functional biomolecules, capillary phenomena of viscoelastic solutions, gelation of supramolecular networks and mechanical spectroscopy or rheology of gelling systems during linear and nonlinear deformations. These will enable us to both understand and mimic the hierarchical organization of dynamic properties that is often observed in elaborate biological soft structures.