The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was recently awarded a NSF Major Research Instrumentation grant for the purchase of an XRD system for research and teaching.

The award allows for the installation of a bench-top powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD) system.  The new instrument will allow faculty and students to obtain insight into the molecular level organization of solid materials. The new instrument will contribute to research ranging from the development of new types of liquid crystals for use in organic electronics and solar cells to novel bio-sensors for disease detection to new catalysts for the generation of solar fuels to understanding water transport in waxy layers related to the plant cuticle.  In addition, the instrument will be incorporated into several classes in the science curriculum, including courses in general chemistry, inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, and geoscience.  The primary investigator on the award is Dr. Joe Reczek with Dr. Kim Specht, Dr. Jordan Katz, and Dr. Annabel Edwards as co-investigators.