Research Areas
Understanding the fundamental principles of chemical conversion of energy carriers to inform the development of new catalytic chemistries for low-temperature distributed processing of underutilized carbon resources.
Advancing the understanding of fundamental atomic and molecular interactions that underly chemical separations and serve as a foundation for designing superior materials and processes for energy-efficient separations.
Combining synthesis, characterization, performance measurement, and advanced theory to accelerate and test the development of the next generation of CO2 capture solvents.
Computational Physics and Chemistry
Bringing together capabilities in theory, simulation, and modeling to complement the applied research targeted for biomass (and other forms of underutilized carbon), separations, and conversion.
Condensed Phase and Interfacial Molecular Science (CPIMS) Experiment and Theory
Providing a fundamental understanding of molecular and chemical processes in complex systems related to energy use, environmental remediation, and waste management through the combination of both experimental and theoretical methods.
Infrared Spectroscopy for Remote Sensing and Detection Signatures
Obtaining high-resolution quantitative infrared and Raman spectra and developing techniques for applications in remote sensing, standoff chemical detection, environmental monitoring, and atmospheric chemical sensing.
Elucidating the cause-and-effect relationships between synthesis conditions, chemical compositions, and atomic arrangements in epitaxial complex oxide multilayers and their functional properties.
Phase Transformations by Design
Understanding ion transport principles to control phase transformations in structurally ordered transition metal oxide thin films.
Hierarchical Materials and Functions
Developing physical principles for predictive synthesis of hierarchical nanostructured materials that have controlled dimensionality, architectures, and functionalities over multiple length scales.
Establishing the molecular-level control of the synthesis of hierarchical bio-mimetic structures functionalized for targeted applications.
Revealing the atomic-scale mechanisms of mass transport, chemical reactivity, and structural evolution controlling assembly of nanomaterials.
Revealing the effects of high shear strain and mechanisms of microstructure modification in metals to enable breakthroughs in design of structural materials.
Gaining a predictive understanding of the fundamental reaction mechanisms occurring at complex mineral/fluid interfaces that control major mineral transformations and energy flow in the subsurface.