Energy
Dr. Carl Dirk
Research Interests
Main research expertise is in theoretical modeling and design of optical materials, primarily focused on molecular centered response properties.
Strong interest in the molecular modeling of ground state and photochemical molecular chemical reactions. He also has expertise in design of safer lighting for the display of art, as well as associated expertise in color theory related phenomena.
Dr. Luis Echegoyen
Research Interests
- Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs)
- Synthesis of Endohedral Fullerenes
- Functionalization of Fullerenes
- Extended Fullerene Networks
- Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs)
- Metallopolymers
- Biological Applications of Fullerenes
Website
Dr. Skye Fortier
Research Interests
Research in the Fortier laboratory is largely driven by fundamental scientific and chemical curiosity in the basic sciences – particularly in the area of molecular inorganic chemistry.
The group's research activities focus on “pushing the envelope” by examining the chemistry of metals in unusually low oxidations states and in unusual coordination environments. From this work, we have made new discoveries with implications towards traditionally challenging reactions such as C-H activation chemistry. Other research interests include the activation of small molecules as well as tackling energy related problems using photoactive metal complexes..
The Fortier laboratory is especially adept in the synthesis, purification, crystallization, handling, and characterization of air and water sensitive molecules and paramagnetic complexes.
Dr. Keith Pannell
Research Interests
Synthesis and evaluation of actinide extractants. Steps toward membrane separations.
Website
Dr. Sreeprasad Sreenivasan
Research Interests
We work at the interface of chemistry, materials physics, environmental science, biotechnology, and nanoengineering and perform cutting-edge research on engineered QSs. We focus on formulating QSs physically or chemically and engineer them to create unique morphologies and/or compositions with superior properties. To enable this, we combine and correlate physicochemical methods with characterization techniques including various forms of microscopy, spectroscopy, and transport measurements to elicit fundamental knowledge regarding these diminutive structures. Subsequently, the derived knowledge will be exploited to advance critical research areas including ultrasensitive sensors, bio-triggered quantum devices, environmental monitoring, and sustainable energy production.
Dr. Dino Villagran
Research Interests
Our research projects fall into the areas of physical inorganic chemistry with primary emphasis on multielectron redox chemistry. Other areas of chemistry such as computational, synthetic and analytical chemistry are part of the focus of our group. We target problems of energy, environmental chemistry, and magnetism focusing on physical measurements and computational and theoretical studies. We utilize advanced synthetic techniques to prepare novel inorganic compounds based on transition metals that target the activation of small molecules and at the same time we pursue studies on their electrochemical and magnetic properties. We synthetically manipulate the structure and bonding of these inorganic compounds to tailor them to perform attractive multielectron redox chemistry. Our research program relies on X-ray crystallography, UV-Vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, computational methods, and magnetic measurements to obtain information on energy and environmental problems and to expand our objectives into other novel transition metal scaffolds.
Dr. Lela Vukovic
Research Interests
Research is devoted to modeling of realistic biological and materials systems in close collaboration with experimentalists. We use quantum and classical molecular dynamics simulations, and other advanced computational techniques to study: 1) biomolecular complexes, primarily involved in cellular quality control; 2) self-assembled polymeric and composite nanomaterials with important functionalities.