58: Malancha Gupta - How do you put a coating on a liquid?

Malancha Gupta from the University of Southern California gives a primer on initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). iCVD is a relatively new processing technique for the deposition of functional polymer thin films. Because polymer properties are readily tunable, iCVD can impart a nearly limitless number of surface functionalities. Perhaps most importantly, the mild nature of iCVD makes it compatible with delicate substrates such as paper, cells, and even liquids! In addition to talking shop, Malancha recounts her journey from curious undergrad to professor. She also shares several of the life hacks that helped her along the way. (Recorded on January 16, 2020. Edited by Andrew Cannon.)