Our research is focused on rational design of responsive and functional polymers/polymer systems through and for understanding of the molecular interactions between distinct polymers and between polymers and other species, with implications for potential applications ranging from substance delivery to interface stabilization, water treatment, and electric cooling. Current research interests include: (i) macromolecular brush materials (brush particles and bottlebrush polymers), (ii) stimuli-responsive nonionic, ionic, and zwitterionic polymers, (iii) polymer adsorbents for removal of toxic species from water for water treatment, and (iv) ferroelectric liquid crystalline polymers. State-of-the-art polymerization methods and organic synthesis tools are used to prepare the designed polymers, and various characterization techniques are employed to study their structures, behaviors, and properties. Our research involves polymer chemistry, materials chemistry, surface and colloidal chemistry, and environmental chemistry.