Person:
Schiffman, Jessica

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Research Projects
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Job Title
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering
Last Name
Schiffman
First Name
Jessica
Discipline
Chemical Engineering
Expertise
Antibacterial surfaces
Materials science and engineering
Nanostructure synthesis
Renewable biopolymers and bioactive natural products
Water and wastewater treatment
Introduction
The Schiffman Lab aims to elucidate and employ the materials properties of renewable biopolymers and bioactive products for the sustainable synthesis of novel nanostructures. Polymers derived from natural sources have inherent qualities that make them superior to synthetic polymers. They are antibacterial, biodegradable, biocompatible, chelate ions, and have coagulation capabilities. Natural products, like plant derivatives exhibit wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity. By analyzing the chemistry, processability, and biological functionality of these agents we are able to engineer and characterize devices that address public health concerns in biomedical and environmental fields. Currently, applications of interest include antibiofilm coatings, nanofiber scaffolds for wound healing, as well as membranes that selectively remove contaminants. Our research is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing influences from chemical engineering, materials science engineering, environmental engineering, and microbiology.
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    Publication
    Linear Viscoelasticity and Time—Alcohol Superposition of Chitosan/Hyaluronic Acid Complex Coacervates
    (2022-01-01) Sun, Juanfeng; Schiffman, Jessica D.; Perry, Sarah L.
    Complex coacervation is an associative liquid−liquid phase separation phenomenon resulting from the complexation of oppositely charged macroions. While it is well-known that the phase behavior and rheological character of the resulting coacervates can vary as a function of the identity of the various species present (i.e., macroions, salt, and solution conditions), the effect of solvent quality has been rarely studied. Here, the effect of adding small amounts of either methanol or ethanol to complex coacervates of the natural polymers chitosan and hyaluronic acid is described. The effect of cosolvent addition on the phase behavior and linear viscoelasticity of the resulting coacervates is characterized. Lastly, we explore the potential for using not only time−salt superposition but also time−alcohol and time−salt−alcohol superposition to provide insight into coacervate rheology.
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    Bacteria-Resistant, Transparent, Free-standing Films Prepared from Complex Coacervates
    (2019-01-01) Kurtz, Irene S.; Sui, Shuo; Huang, Mengfei; Schiffman, Jessica D.; Perry, Sarah L.
    We report the fabrication, properties, and bacteria-resistance of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) coatings and free-standing films. Poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), and salt were spin-coated into PEC films. After thermal annealing in a humid environment, highly transparent, mechanically strong, and chemically robust films were formed. Notably, we demonstrate that PEC coatings significantly reduce the attachment of Escherichia coli K12 without killing the microorganisms. We suggest that forming bacteria-resistant surface coatings from commercially available polymers holds the potential for use across a wide range of applications, including high-touch surfaces in medical settings.
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    Publication
    Current and Emerging Approaches to Engineer Antibacterial and Antifouling Electrospun Nanofibers
    (2018-01-01) Kurtz, Irene S.; Schiffman, Jessica D.
    From ship hulls to bandages, biological fouling is a ubiquitous problem that impacts a wide range of industries and requires complex engineered solutions. Eliciting materials to have antibacterial or antifouling properties describes two main approaches to delay biofouling by killing or repelling bacteria, respectively. In this review article, we discuss how electrospun nanofiber mats are blank canvases that can be tailored to have controlled interactions with biologics, which would improve the design of intelligent conformal coatings or freestanding meshes that deliver targeted antimicrobials or cause bacteria to slip off surfaces. Firstly, we will briefly discuss the established and emerging technologies for addressing biofouling through antibacterial and antifouling surface engineering, and then highlight the recent advances in incorporating these strategies into electrospun nanofibers. These strategies highlight the potential for engineering electrospun nanofibers to solicit specific microbial responses for human health and environmental applications.