Light-matter interactions
Nanostructures in catalysis and health
What makes a material interesting? A “material,” something with a known and reproducible chemical composition, only becomes interesting when it does something meaningful, valuable, desirable or with significant value added. Material is only as good or functional as the applications we can find.
The team led by Scaiano studies light-matter interactions with materials: synthesis of materials using light, steering of chemical reactions (including catalysis) using light, and light as a diagnostic or therapeutic agent in medicine. Several teams in Science, Engineering and Medicine contribute to these common goals.
Discover the Light-Matter interactions research groups.
Environment, energy and sustainability
Energy conservation is an important aspect to consider when it comes to environmental sanitation. However, energy needs are also exponentially increasing with consumer demand for faster and more powerful electronics. Our MatChar research program focuses on developing new advanced materials where a small amount of energy can be used to manipulate and exploit their physical properties when implemented in electronic devices. It is thus possible to considerably reduce the energy consumption associated with data processing and storage. Our approach for the next generation of low-power devices will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, provide better air quality by halting polluting fuels such as coal, and help control more off-grid electricity generation. Several chemistry, physics and engineering teams from MatChar are working to contribute to these common energy-saving objectives, environmental sanitation and long-term sustainability.
Discover the Environment, Energy and Sustainability research groups
Biophotonics
Discover the Biophotonics research groups