Faculty conducting research in this area include Rigoberto Advincula, Paul Dalhaimer, Brian Edwards, John Zhanhu Guo, Ramki Kalyanaraman, Bamin Khomami, S. Michael Kilbey II, Siris Laursen, Joshua Sangoro, Gila Stein, and Thomas Zawodzinski.
Functional materials possess native physiochemical properties and are found in all classes of materials, including ceramics, metals, polymers, and organic molecules. Examples include materials that possess catalytic activity, energy storage capability, photovoltaic properties, and a host of materials used in smart coating and thin film technologies.
The overarching theme of research in this area is rational design and development of materials with unique structures, properties, and functions. Topics include nano-scale self-assembly and organization (Guo, Khomami, Kilbey, Stein), nanoparticle and this film synthesis (Edwards, Dalhaimer, Guo, Laursen, Khomami), catalyst synthesis and characterization (Laursen, Khomami, Zawodzinski), development of material including bio-hybrid for variety of energy applications (Laursen, Kalyanaraman, Khomami, Kilbey, Sangoro, Stein, Zawodzinski). Areas of application include next generation electronics, printed electronics, renewable energy including high energy and power units, drug delivery, clean water, agro-chemicals.
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