Faculty News

What Chemists Do

Dr. Challa V. Kumar’s research focuses on biological materials, materials that are both functional and biogradable. In this ACS “What Chemists Do” video profile, Dr. Kumar discusses the properties of a light-harvesting antenna that is more efficient than existing solar cell panels. Video>>>

Why Is There Cyanide In My Table Salt

In an article originally featured in the J. Chem. Educ., Drs. Christian Brückner and Sarina Dorazio explore the answer to the following question: “Why is there cyanide in my table salt?” (J. Chem. Educ. 2015, DOI:10.1021/ed500776b). The article, also highlighted in C&EN’s “Newscripts” section, details cyanide’s use as an anticaking agent. Full Article

Dr. Mark Peczuh Receives Provost’s Teaching Innovation Mini Grant Competition Award

Dr. Mark Peczuh received a grant for the following proposal: Title: “Don’t Flip Out – It’s Just Organic Chemistry” Summary: In the project we will develop a version of second semester organic chemistry that is flipped. Lecture content will be delivered online and meeting times will be dedicated to problem solving and group work in […]

Suib & He Group Research Highlighted on Chemistry of Materials Cover

A paper entitled “Colloidal Amphiphile-Templated Growth of Highly Crystalline Mesoporous Nonsiliceous Oxides” from the Suib and He groups (Chem. Mater. 2015, 27, 6173–6176) was featured on the front cover of Chemistry of Materials. They highlighted the utilization of polymer-tethered silica nanoparticles for the preparation of thermally stable and highly crystalline mesoporous transition-metal oxides with uniform […]

Novel “Green” Antenna Could Double Solar Efficiency

The Kumar Group and He Group have reportedly developed a unique “green” antenna that could potentially double the efficiencies of certain kinds of solar cells. Efficient solar cells maximize the absorption of the sun’s wavelengths. However, current silicon solar cells are not efficient in the blue part of the light spectrum. In response, Kumar’s team […]