Major research areas for the Laine group include the synthesis and processing of inorganic and organometallic hybrid polymers and nano-oxide powders. Research in the hybrid area emphasizes the synthesis and characterization of nanobuilding blocks based on polyfunctional octahedral (octafunctional) and dodecahederal (dodecafunctional) silsesquioxanes (POSS) and nanocomposites therefrom wherein the periodicity and ordering of the inorganic and organic components are completely defined on a nanometer length scale. To date, POSS nanocomposites made include both aliphatic and aromatic epoxy resins, imides, amides, esters and simple hydrocarbon systems. Related work involves the synthesis of polyfunctional POSS with novel photonic or electronic properties.