Research in my group targets synthesis of nanostructured, porous, and composite materials for a variety of applications. Emphasis is placed on control over internal architecture, external morphology and local composition, with critical features covering multiple length scales from the molecular to the bulk scale. Templating and nanocasting methods are employed to achieve structural and compositional control. Such hierarchical materials design is relevant for applications that benefit from large interfaces, rely on efficient transport of matter or charge through the material, or require materials that influence the propagation of light. Effects of interfacial interactions between multiple templates and precursors on product organization and structural evolution during the application of the materials are studied. Current projects are directed at energy storage materials (rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, thermal energy storage), chemical sensing, sorption, catalysis, and structural materials.