Physical
The Glusac group studies photocatalytic and electrocatalytic processes relevant to energy storage applications. Particular emphasis is placed on the incorporation of metal-free catalysis, where the catalytic motifs are incorporated into conductive carbon-based platforms (graphene quantum dots and nanoribbons). The photochemical processes are studied using ultrafast pump-probe laser spectroscopy, while the electrochemical processes are studied using standard voltammetric and potentiostatic methods.
The Hemley group explores the chemistry and physics of materials in extreme conditions up to multimegabar (>100 GPa) pressures using both experiments and computational theory. Current research is focused on transformations of hydrogen and hydrogen-rich materials at these pressures, work that has led to the discovery of room-temperature superconductivity; discovery of novel high-pressure compounds and pressure-induced chemical reactions; synthesis and characterization of new topological, magnetic, and superhard materials; earth and planetary materials, and implications for planetary interiors; and the molecular limits of life in extreme environments. The tools include diamond anvil cell micro-optical spectroscopies, synchrotron infrared spectroscopy, synchrotron x-ray diffraction and spectroscopies, neutron scattering, laser heating, magnetic susceptibility, electrical conductivity, and cryogenic methods, as well as high-pressure materials by design from first-principle computations.
The Jiang group focuses on applying scanning probe-based nanotechnology in nanostuctures design and properties investigation. They are interested in fundamental science and applications at the nano-scale, including charge transfer, electron localization and generation, photoabsorption and photoemission, which are at the heart of the next generation single-molecule devices.
The Král group focuses on the theoretical description of novel transport phenomena and material structures at the nanoscale, with rich potential applications. They are especially attracted by hybrid environments, present in nanofluidic and biological systems, self-assembled nanoparticle superlattices, etc., where the interplay between different types of materials, phases, dimensionalities, energies and timescales is crucial. The physical, chemical and biological aspects of the studied problems are evaluated in a concerted way.
Justin Lorieau's group research works at the interface of biophysics, physical chemistry and biochemistry. With biophysical solution NMR, solid-state NMR and protein biochemistry, the Lorieau group studies proteins and biomolecules from multiple perspectives. Research in the Lorieau group focuses on protein structure and dynamics, membrane protein biophysics and new computational and theoretical tools for biophysics.
George Papadantonakis focuses on cancer biophysics. Using ab initio quantum mechanical calculations, we investigate the energetics of DNA damage induced by ultraviolet radiation and methylation. Nucleotide ionization energies provide a quantitative measurement of the electron-donating properties of DNA. Attack of DNA by methylation agents plays a ubiquitous role in mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis and cancer chemotherapy.
The Snee group focuses on the study of energy transfer in semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs). They are interested in (1) constructing novel semiconductor nanocrystal material systems to engineer energy transfer processes, (2) developing imaging agents based on their NC constructs and (3) bandgap engineering of multilayered nanocrystalline materials.
The Trenary group conducts studies of the chemical and structural properties of solid surfaces. With the aim of achieving a fundamental understanding of surface chemical reactions using a variety of surface sensitive techniques, their research provides insights into a variety of areas including heterogeneous catalysis, thin film growth, hydrogen storage, and semiconductor device fabrication.