Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

The unifying theme of our research program is the development of multifunctional, miniaturized analytical devices with integrated components on a single substrate. Such “labs-on-a-chip” have promise in revolutionizing sample preparation, chemical analysis, and chemical synthesis. A wide variety of applications are possible, including on-site analysis of environmental samples, analysis of key components in body fluids at the doctor’s office or at home, and synthesis and purification of materials on a small scale.

To carry out this work, our activities are interdisciplinary in nature, often requiring scientific collaborations with other chemists, chemical engineers, electrical engineers, food scientists, and industrial partners. More specifically, we investigate chemistry in the limit of ultrasmall volumes (nanoliters to picoliters), near materials having ultrasmall features (submicron patterning), and with new approaches to moving solutions around to carry out sequential reactions in an automated way (microfluidics). In addition, we study the means of interfacing inorganic electrodes and micro/nanostructures with assemblies of organic and biologically- important molecules. Computer simulations are used as a complementary tool to further investigate these systems.Analytical instrumentation that is essential to this work includes electrochemistry, polarization-modulation Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (PM-FTIR), surface probe microscopy (e.g. atomic force microscopy), X- ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Several projects also involve hands-on experience with microlithographic techniques.

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