Abby Knight
@abbyknight.bsky.social
Mom | Associate Professor @uncchemistry working at the interface of polymer science, chemical biology, and bioinspired materials. https://www.knightgroupunc.org/
And for more exciting polymer content, check our Macromolecules neighbor featuring our newest postdoc, Kam!
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 AM
And for more exciting polymer content, check our Macromolecules neighbor featuring our newest postdoc, Kam!
It’s been a pleasure to support Supraja Chittari’s work developing this workflow. Congratulations to her and the team!
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 AM
It’s been a pleasure to support Supraja Chittari’s work developing this workflow. Congratulations to her and the team!
Inspired by metrics from bioinformatics, PRISM introduces visualization and quantitative comparison tools for stochastic polymer sequences, advancing data-directed analyses and the design of synthetic macromolecules.
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Inspired by metrics from bioinformatics, PRISM introduces visualization and quantitative comparison tools for stochastic polymer sequences, advancing data-directed analyses and the design of synthetic macromolecules.
PRISM fits experimental RAFT kinetics via numerical integration to extract reactivity ratios, then uses mechanism-specific stochastic simulations to generate sequence ensembles across alternating, gradient, block, and multiblock copolymer architectures.
October 16, 2025 at 2:02 AM
PRISM fits experimental RAFT kinetics via numerical integration to extract reactivity ratios, then uses mechanism-specific stochastic simulations to generate sequence ensembles across alternating, gradient, block, and multiblock copolymer architectures.
Bottom line: polymer sequence—not just chemistry—can be engineered to improve REE binding and even tune selectivity. That’s a powerful lever for designing better materials for separations, sensing, and catalysis.
Full paper: doi.org/10.1021/jacs...
Full paper: doi.org/10.1021/jacs...
Structure–Function Relationships in Sequence-Controlled Copolymers for Rare Earth Element Chelation
The ability to tune material function through primary sequence is a defining feature of biological macromolecules, enabling precise control over structure and target interactions in complex aqueous en...
doi.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Bottom line: polymer sequence—not just chemistry—can be engineered to improve REE binding and even tune selectivity. That’s a powerful lever for designing better materials for separations, sensing, and catalysis.
Full paper: doi.org/10.1021/jacs...
Full paper: doi.org/10.1021/jacs...
We discovered that:
• More hydrophobic content improves binding by pushing water out of coordination sites
• Clustering hydrophobic + chelating monomers can match or beat more hydrophobic random polymers
• Gradient architectures balance binding strength and selectivity
• More hydrophobic content improves binding by pushing water out of coordination sites
• Clustering hydrophobic + chelating monomers can match or beat more hydrophobic random polymers
• Gradient architectures balance binding strength and selectivity
August 15, 2025 at 3:39 PM
We discovered that:
• More hydrophobic content improves binding by pushing water out of coordination sites
• Clustering hydrophobic + chelating monomers can match or beat more hydrophobic random polymers
• Gradient architectures balance binding strength and selectivity
• More hydrophobic content improves binding by pushing water out of coordination sites
• Clustering hydrophobic + chelating monomers can match or beat more hydrophobic random polymers
• Gradient architectures balance binding strength and selectivity
We built a library of amphiphilic copolymers, varying chelating group density, hydrophobic monomer type, and sequence pattern (statistical, gradient, block), then tested their REE binding and selectivity.
August 15, 2025 at 3:39 PM
We built a library of amphiphilic copolymers, varying chelating group density, hydrophobic monomer type, and sequence pattern (statistical, gradient, block), then tested their REE binding and selectivity.
Lastly, one of my favorite memories in this position is my (then) two year old telling my husband about my department's tenure vote last fall. I am better at my job with them and my littlest by my side.
July 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Lastly, one of my favorite memories in this position is my (then) two year old telling my husband about my department's tenure vote last fall. I am better at my job with them and my littlest by my side.
This promotion is an acknowledgement of each member of the Knight Group. From our three first undergraduates to our first seven PhDs - their hard work and creativity is the foundation of our research program. And I don't know what I'd do without their constant sass.
July 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
This promotion is an acknowledgement of each member of the Knight Group. From our three first undergraduates to our first seven PhDs - their hard work and creativity is the foundation of our research program. And I don't know what I'd do without their constant sass.
In all seriousness, I want to take a moment to acknowledge how grateful I am to all of the colleagues and mentors who have supported the Knight Group through providing instrumentation access, scientific guidance, laughter, and formal letters of support over the last seven years.
July 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
In all seriousness, I want to take a moment to acknowledge how grateful I am to all of the colleagues and mentors who have supported the Knight Group through providing instrumentation access, scientific guidance, laughter, and formal letters of support over the last seven years.