Join us for a seminar by Professor Bo Qiao, from ShanghaiTech University, on "Understanding the Non-covalent Interactions within Polymer Materials Leads to More Advanced Performance". We hope to see you there!Abstract: Non-covalent interactions (e.g., hydrogen bond, dipole-dipole interactions, and Coulombic interactions) are ubiquitous. These interactions have been utilized to develop molecular functions such as recognition, aggregation, and stimuli-response, leading to complex structures and molecular machines. Despite these achievements, optimizing the non-covalent interactions within polymer materials to improve their performance remains less explored. This talk will discuss our recent progress in tuning and studying the non-covalent interactions within three types of polymer materials: polymer electrolytes, light-responsive polymer networks, and gene-delivery polymers. First, we studied the impact of intermolecular interactions within polymer electrolytes on lithium conduction. Second, we utilized metal-ligand interactions to regulate the properties of photoswitches as cross-linkers in polymer networks. Third, we developed a synthetic strategy that grants access to a broad range of precisely defined gene-delivery polymers, potentially allowing us to fine tune the self-assembled structures of polymer vectors and nucleic acids.Bio: Bo Qiao obtained his PhD degree in 2017 at Indiana University under the supervision of Prof. Amar Flood studying anion supramolecular chemistry. From 2017 to 2020, Bo did post-doctoral research at MIT with Prof. Jeremiah Johnson and Prof. Yang Shao-Horn studying polymer electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries. In September 2020, Bo joined ShanghaiTech University as an assistant professor.

To be the leader of a lab in academic and non-academic settings, you need to be balance being a mentor and a manager. But how and when do you switch between these roles? How do you show that you know both of these skills when you apply for jobs? This workshop will consistent of two parts. First we will describe the different responsibilities of a manager versus a mentor, help you reflect on your strengths in both of these roles, and ways in particular to better understand your own managerial approach. Then, we will wrap up the workshop by identifying when and how you describe these skills when you are on the job market.

Ten minutes for your mind@2:50 every day at 2:50 pm in multiple time zones:Europa@2:50, EET, Athens, Helsinki (UTC+2) (7:50 am EST) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88298032734Atlantica@2:50, EST, New York, Toronto (UTC-4) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85349851047Pacifica@2:50, PST, Los Angeles, Vancouver (UTC=7) (5:50 pm EST) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85743543699Almost everything works better again if you unplug it for a bit, including your mind. Stop by and unplug. Get the benefits of mindfulness without the fuss.@2:50 meets at the same time every single day for ten minutes of quiet together.No pre-requisite, no registration needed.Visit the website to view all @2:50 time zones each day.at250.org or at250.mit.edu

Speaker: Sasha Glazman (University of Innsbruck)Title: Six-vertex model in the FKG regimeAbstract:The six-vertex model is in correspondence with graph homomorphisms from $Z^2$ to $Z$. If a face is a saddle, it receives weight $c$, otherwise, it receives weight $a$ or $b$. The distribution is proportional to the product of the weights. When $c \geq a, b$, a positive association (FKG) inequality provides additional tools.We discuss two results: $\bullet$ When $a, b \leq c \leq a+b$, we give a soft, purely probabilistic proof of delocalisation relying on the non-coexistence theorem of Zhang and Sheffield. The same argument also applies to random Lipschitz functions on the triangular lattice. $\bullet$ When $c > a+b$ (localized regime), we show convergence of an interface under Dobrushin boundary conditions to the Brownian bridge.Joint works with Dober, Lammers, Ott.*Note change in time/date/location.

Show appreciation to your classmates with a sweet treat, write personalised cards and messages, and deliver notes on Valentines day. Held at MIT ORC (E40-103) and funded by GSC Funding Board.

Boehringer Ingelheim Lecture in Organic Chemistry with Josep Cornella (Max-Planck-Institut fuer Kohlenforschung) and Yongda Zhang (Boehringer Ingelheim)Cornella Title: "Bismuth Redox Catalysis"https://www.cornellab.com/aboutjc#bioZhang Title: " Sustainable Strategies for Synthesizing Drug Substances at Boehringer"