P-Chem @ IU

Physical chemistry, combining the disciplines of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology, encompasses a wide range of modern research topics. From the inner workings of the atomic nucleus, to the structure and properties of isolated atoms and molecules, to the complex enzymes and proteins of living organisms and the collective behaviors of macroscopic systems, physical chemistry focuses on the frontiers of knowledge.

IU P-Chem offers flexible course options; research experience from the first semester; competitive stipends and health insurance benefits; student awards; fellowships for minorities, women, and other outstanding students; career placement services; and minors in physics, mathematics, biochemistry, scientific computing, materials chemistry, chemical physics, and the traditional chemistry subdisciplines.

Physical Chemistry Research Faculty at IU:

(click on names for more information)

Caroline Chick Jarrold Electron guns, lasers, molecular beams and differentially pumped vacuum chambers are the tools used in CC Jarrold group, where the research projects focus on issues of energy and the environment. We use a powerful combination of anion spectroscopic techniques and calculations to probe systems relevant to photocatalysis and atmospheric chemistry.

	Bogdan G. Dragnea Our group uses photonics to manipulate and investigate self-assembling supra-molecular systems inspired by Biology, with potential applications in nanomedicine and materials science. The main areas of research are: (1) Development of near-field optical actuators for chip-integrable nanoparticle manipulation and sub-cellular in-vivo photothermal imaging of virus-like nanoparticle probes. (2) Physical principles of biomolecular self-assembly of virus-like complexes.

Steven L. Tait Self-assembly of organic frameworks at surfaces provides an efficient route to nanometer-scale patterning of surfaces with functional materials for catalysis, sensors, photovoltaics and other applications. We are studying the formation and function of 2D supramolecular systems with surface analysis methods, including scanning probes, electron spectroscopy and desorption spectroscopy.

	Philip S. Stevens Professor Stevens' research interests focus on characterizing the chemical mechanisms in the atmosphere that influence regional air quality and global climate change. This research involves laboratory studies of the kinetics of important atmospheric reactions, theoretical studies of the reaction mechanisms, and field measurements of the atmosphere in both urban and forested environments.

Martin F. Jarrold Phase transition in small systems, such as how the melting and freezing transitions change as a function of the number of atoms in nano-clusters with less than 200 atoms. Properties of liquid nanoclusters. Charge separation in the break-up of water droplets and bubbles. Development of mass spectrometry methods to weigh objects in the 1-100 megadalton range, like viruses, polymers, and nanoparticles.

	Romualdo T. de Souza In the Nuclear Chemistry group we investigate nuclei and nuclear matter under extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, shape, and neutron-to-proton ratio. Our interests range from understanding the formation of the elements in supernova explosions to the properties of neutron star crusts and X-ray superbursts. In order to understand these phenomena we develop cutting edge detectors and electronics which we utilize at radioactive beam facilities both in the U.S. and abroad.

Peter J. Ortoleva The Ortoleva group uses multiscale techniques to derive principles of nanosystem behavior from laws of molecular physics. With support from the NSF, DOD, DOE and NIH, they study quantum dot, superconducting and graphene nanoparticles, viral processes, and nanocapsules for drug delivery. They enable computer simulations of supra-million atom systems with angstom resolution over long times (left image), and atomic-scale electrical potential (right image).

	Srinivasan S. Iyengar The Iyengar group’s research resides on the interface of chemistry, computational physics and applied mathematics. They develop new theoretical and computational methods for problems in biophysical, atmospheric and nano chemistry. Current efforts include rigorous treatment of hydrogen transfer reactions in enzymes, hydrogen-bonding in atmospheric and nano-systems and electron transport in molecular wires.

Krishnan Raghavachari Our research is focused on the development of new methods in electronic structure theory and their applications to a broad range of challenging problems in molecular and material science. Current projects in our group include new electronic embedding methods applicable for large molecules, accurate composite models for theoretical thermochemistry, semiconductor surface chemistry, peptide fragmentation studies, and investigations of metal oxide clusters to explore their roles in catalytic activity.

	James P. Reilly We investigate the photofragmentation of peptide ions using vacuum ultraviolet laser light. This high energy process leads to the production of an unusual ion fragments that can be used in diagnostic applications and to initiate subsequent fragmentation reactions. We also employ simple chemical derivatizations to extract information about the three-dimensional structure of proteins and macromolecular complexes.

Liang-shi Li The Li's group is interested in electronic and optical materials that can find uses in studying biological systems or in energy related areas. Currently our work is focused on liquid crystalline materials for organic photovoltaics, semiconducting graphene ribbons for field effect transistors, and organic dyes for neuron imaging.

	Amar H. Flood Our goal is to understand the chemical design rules behind active molecular plasmonics. Applications include computing and sensing. We use switchable colored molecules, often by design and synthesis, and employ surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) spectroscopy to understand chromophore-plasmon coupling.

David E. Clemmer Clemmer's group studies the structures of large low-symmetry systems, such as complex mixtures of proteins derived from cells or tissues. These systems evolve over time as organisms age; or, changes might be induced by specific peturbations. The group has developed several novel technologies for these studies. A single experiment may track a thousand proteins.

Bloomington, Indiana has been rated as one of the 10 best places to live and designated an “All America City.” Bloomington offers a rich blend of big city amenities with the comfort and energy of a college town – musical festivals, concerts, theatre, ballet, opera, art museums, wineries, international and natural-food restaurants, and a weekly farmers’ market. IU is a wooded campus, cited as one of the most beautiful in the US, and has a world-renowned school of music and performing arts offering more than 1,000 events each year, many of which are free of charge. See http://www.visitbloomington.com/