The research in our group utilizes a variety of techniques to examine methods by which the properties of polymer mixtures can be optimized by control of dispersion size or by the selective migration of a polymeric additive to the surface. For instance, the dispersion of nanoscale particles or domains in a polymer matrix can lead to nonlinear enhancement of a variety of properties. Our group has developed an understanding of how manipulation and control of the structure of polymeric components can be utilized to efficiently and reproducibly disperse nanoscale domains (or particles) in a host polymer matrix, which can readily lead to nonlinear enhancement of material properties such as dimensional stability, flame resistance, and mechanical properties. We have also developed techniques to characterize the impact of specific branched architectures on the dynamics of a surface segregation process, the final surface structure and functionality, and the material properties of a surface-modified polymeric material. Thus, our research provides specific fundamental information to enable the design of multicomponent polymeric materials with such properties as self-healing chemical and flame resistance or hardness, exceptional impact strength, outstanding tensile properties, and dimensional stability.