Throughout the natural world, oxidation reactions are used by fungi and bacteria to break down otherwise unusable carbonaceous materials into usable food sources. Polysaccharide Monooxygenase (PMO), for instance, selectively oxidizes polysaccharides at pervasive glycosyl bonds. Particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) selectively oxidizes methane to methanol. In this research project, we will seek more accurate small-molecule mimics of oxidizing enzyme catalytic sites.

Organic materials lend our lives many conveniences, through wood and paper products, plastics, and even displays for TVs and tablets. In this line of research, organic materials will be designed and synthesized that self-assemble from solution into solids with useful properties such as charge conduction, selective sensing, or electricity generation.

In the future, society will need to harvest energy from a variety of sources, and not just the forces of the sun, wind, or hydropower. Vibration, temperature, and motion can also be used to generate power with materials that turn these impulses into electricity. In this line of research, novel ferroelectric and flexoelectric hybrid materials will be developed for sensing, electricity generation, light emission, and more.