Our research is focused on the interplay between chemical properties at the molecular scale and materials properties at the nano- and microscale. Through careful design of interfacial structure and function, we are creating “smart” colloids and materials – such as polymeric architectures, organic/inorganic hybrids, and multiphase composites – that can sense their surroundings and react accordingly. This reaction results in transmission of information, release of encapsulated contents, or change of local surface and material properties, and applications for such systems include imaging, drug delivery, catalysis, sensing, and renewable materials, among others. We are also interested in how interfaces organize themselves when sensing chemical stimuli, and how they respond to external forces. We are exploring these phenomena in both natural and synthetic systems through a combination of chemical design, colloid and surface engineering, and microscopy.
keywords
Colloid and interface science, polymer science and engineering, self-assembly, chemical synthesis, imaging, drug delivery, cancer research
CHEN 1203 - General Chemistry for Engineers 2
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
Designed for students whose academic plans require advanced work in chemistry. Topics include kinetics, solubility/solubility equilibria, acid-bases, buffers and titrations, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Examples and problems illustrate the application of chemistry to engineering sub-disciplines. AP Chemistry credit not accepted in lieu of any of these prereq classes. Recommended corequisite: CHEM 1221.Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 1133 and CHEM 2100.
CHEN 1211 - Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
One-semester lecture and recitation course designed for engineering students with more advanced chemistry backgrounds. Topics include stoichiometry; thermodynamics; gases, liquids, and solids; equilibrium; acids and bases; bonding concepts; kinetics; reactions; and materials science. Examples and problems illustrate the application of chemistry to engineering sub-disciplines. Recommended corequisite: CHEM 1221. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1400 and CHEN 1201 and MCEN 1024.
CHEN 4450 - Polymer Chemistry
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2026
Introduces polymer science with a focus on polymer chemistry and polymerization reactions. Focuses on polymerization reaction engineering and how polymer properties depend on structure. Same as CHEN 5450.
CHEN 4521 - Physical Chemistry for Engineers
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Examines the laws of classical thermodynamics followed by physical transformations of pure substances, the thermodynamics of simple mixtures and chemical equilibrium. Applies quantum theory to atomic and molecular structure. Presents the concepts and applications of statistical thermodynamics. Introduces rates of chemical reactions, reaction dynamics and catalysis.
CHEN 5450 - Polymer Chemistry
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2026
Introduces polymer science with a focus on polymer chemistry and polymerization reactions. Focuses on polymerization reaction engineering and how polymer properties depend on structure. Same as CHEN 4450.
CHEN 5919 - Special Topics in CHBE
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2022
May be repeated up to 5 total credit hours.
