The demand for power is driving an energy storage revolution. Our group, in collaboration with Dr. Constantin (Cornel) Ciocanel in Mechanical Engineering, is developing solutions to the demands of an increasingly connected society with a composite material that doubles as a power storage system. Key to the material is a solid polymer electrolyte developed in our laboratory. Read more.

Preparing new molecules tailored to our needs. Whether designing a new polymer host for an electrolyte or a compound that will give desirable electrochemical or medicinal properties, the heart of our research relies on synthesizing the molecules we need. Ionic liquids, heterocyclic compounds, and polymer building blocks are made to advance our research and give students the skills they need for careers in synthetic chemistry. Read more.

Multidrug resistant bacteria demand new antimicrobial drugs. New drug targets and structures are among the ways that medicinal chemists aim to meet the demands of treating multidrug-resistant infections. Our work in design and synthesis of essential amino acid biosynthesis inhibitors can be among the next-generation of antibacterial drugs.

Novel methods for making known compounds. In research, known reactions do not always behave as expected. New ways of making known functional groups are important for expanding the research toolbox for synthesis.