Josh Worch
Research Interests
Synthetic polymers have revolutionized all aspects of modern life from the routine (packaging or textiles) to high-tech (transportation or medicine). However, lowering their ecological impact is a grand challenge of the 21st century. This requires a step change in how we design new polymers where they should be scrutinized holistically: from synthesis and application to end-of-life. Most polymers are built from unsustainable feedstock and treated as static materials with a linear lifecycle. Our group will challenge this dogma by creating intrinsically recyclable polymers from renewable sources that feature programmable functionality and lifetime. Several key concepts will underpin our research in sustainable polymers: (1) dynamic bonding, (2) control of polymer structure/function, (3) green chemistry/processes, and (4) additive manufacturing technologies. Through a lens of sustainability, group members should expect to gain a comprehensive skill-set in polymers that covers molecular design, synthesis, materials fabrication/characterization, recycling, and degradation.
- Jiang, M.; Bird, E.; Ham, W.; Worch, J.C.* Mechanochemical Synthesis of Recyclable Hybrid Polymer Networks using Whole Biomass. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202510449. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202510449
- Koelbl, C.B.; Obunadike, C.; Ham, W.; Mahmud, N.; Garcia, M.; Lizundia, E.; Worch, J.C.* A greener and more scalable synthesis of biogenic polydisulfides from lipoic acid, ChemSusChem, 2025, 2500194. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202500194
- Jiang, M.; Mahmud, N.; Koelbl, C.B.; Herr, D.; Worch, J.C.* Positioning dynamic polymeric materials within the modern polymer economy: From application to recycling and circularity. J. Polym. Sci. 2024, 62, 3562. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pol.20230982
- Machado, T.O.; Stubbs, C.J.; Chiaradia, V.; Alraddadi, M.A.; Brandolese, A.; Worch, J.C.*; Dove, A.P.* A renewably sourced, circular photopolymer resin for additive manufacturing. Nature 2024, 629, 1069-1074. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07399-9
Ho, D.H.; Jiang, M.; Tutika, R.; Worch, J.C.*; Bartlett, M.D.* Liquid Metal-Vitrimer Conductive Composite for Recyclable and Resilient Electronics. Adv. Mater. 2025, 2501341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202501341
- Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award, 2025
- Scialog Fellow: Sustainable Minerals, Metals, and Materials, 2024
- M. Zouhair Atassi Research Paper Prize, 2021
- Royal Society of Chemistry Outreach Grant, 2019
- School of Chemistry Public Engagement Award, 2019
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2017
- Group Leader, University of Birmingham (UK), 2020-2022
- Marie Curie Research Fellow, University of Warwick/Birmingham (UK), 2017-2019
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 2016
- B.A. in Chemistry & Physics, Manchester University, 2011