As a department, we bring expertise in synthesis, fabrication, characterization and theory of novel materials, especially in nanomaterials, for applications in sensors, devices, catalysis and as biofunctional materials. Our department is well known for having developed an impressive array of synthetic approaches for bottom-up assembly of organic, inorganic and hybrid nano-materials. We are also well known for innovative ways to characterize nano-materials using both spectroscopy and theory.

Our department is well known for applying biophysical/bioanalytical approaches to uncover fundamental mechanisms of protein structure, folding and function. We apply an arsenal of tools, including spectroscopies, crystallography, calorimetry, and protein engineering, to systems that range from fundamental models to proteins involved in disease states. We are also well known for developing molecules and nano-assemblies to mimic or control biomolecules and systems.