Work in the Lipson Group is focused on creating a bright line between the microscopic nature of complex materials and their macroscopic behavior. We use the tools of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics as well as simulations.  Areas of recent focus involve revealing how bulk thermodynamic characteristics play a role in controlling local segmental relaxation,  dynamic heterogeneity and the approach to glassiness, and the effects of different kinds of interfaces on local mobility and glass transitions. We also are continuing our work in connecting molecular properties to miscibility in complex mixtures, with a particular interest in polymer-containing systems. In our current work we make strong use of our Locally Correlated Lattice (LCL) model (thermodynamics) and Cooperative Free Volume (CFV; dynamics) models, application of which has proven extremely valuable in a number of ongoing collaborations with different experimental groups. We also continue to apply our Limited Mobility (LM) simulation method to study glass forming bulk materials and films.