Chemistry - the science of everything
Whether it’s using algae as an alternative energy source or treating lead poisoning, at Missouri S&T’s chemistry department, it’s all about doing interdisciplinary research that will have a positive impact on the world.
Missouri S&T’s chemistry department is one of the most storied and successful departments on campus.
Founded as the Department of Chemistry and Metallurgy in 1871, one short year after Missouri School of Mines was established, the department’s current regular research faculty comprise one of the highest external research grant-generating departments at S&T. They are highly cited around the world.
The department holds seminars every Monday of the semester, and releases a newsletter once a semester.
Current News and Events
Researchers create shape-memory aerogels with rubber-like elasticity
Ph.D. student's research is functional as a philosophy
Missouri S&T, PCRMC partner on new research
Chemistry professor to conduct collaborative research in Japan
Research by Dr. Jay Switzer leads to a golden discovery for wearable technology
Dr. Honglan Shi cries foul on water quality
Cancer-detection device poised to save lives
New Financial Package for PhD Students
Research leads to awards, scholarship funding for grad students in chemistry
Faculty Profile
Richard Dawes
Our group is interested in the spectroscopy and dynamics of small molecules relevant to combustion, atmospheric and interstellar chemistry. We are developing methods to construct global potential energy surfaces. In many cases multiple coupled surfaces play an important role in the dynamics.
More information about our research can be found here.
Faculty Profile
Nuran Ercal
Our group focuses on studying the therapeutic effect of a novel GSH-prodrug, N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), in neurotoxicity, diesel exhaust particle (DEP)-induced toxicity, methamphetamine abuse, metal ion toxicity, radiation, medicinal drug-induced toxicity, alcohol overuse, and degenerative eye disorders.
We are currently focusing on the development of NACA eye drops as an alternative to costly surgery for oxidative stress-related eye disorders like cataracts, macular degeneration and other degenerative eye disorders.
More information about our research can be found here.
Faculty Profile
Yinfa Ma
The first branch of my group focuses on bio-analysis and bio-separations; early cancer detection by using different markers and different techniques is our major focus. Research is conducted using state-of-art instruments and techniques, such as UPLC-MSn, GC-MS, HPCE-MS, microfluidic and nanofluidic chips, and many others. In addition, single cell sensing and single molecule and single cell imaging technology has been used extensively for biomarker studies. The second branch of our research focuses on emerging environmental contaminants in natural water resources, drinking waters, and other matrices. Their impact to human health will also be investigated, such as nanotoxicity.
More information about our research can be found here.
Faculty Profile
Paul K. Nam
Our group is interested in analytical and environmental chemistry. We use various analytical techniques to investigate environment and find remedies for prospective problems. Our current interdisciplinary collaborative research involves the development of innovative technologies for economical and renewable production of biofuels and other valuable bioproducts from microalgae.
These photosynthetic microorganisms have the potential to be a solution to the world's growing energy and environmental challenges as more efficient and sustainable methods for bioenergy production, carbon dioxide sequestration and wastewater bioremediation.
More information about our research can be found here.
Faculty Profile
Honglan Shi
Our group mainly focuses on the development of cutting-edge analytical techniques and methods for environmental and bioanalytical applications, including:
Trace emerging pollutants analysis and control in natural and drinking water - water disinfection by-products (DBPs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), algal toxins, pesticides, perchlorate, Cr(VI), and more.
Development of novel economical and green technologies for water treatment - agricultural byproducts, such as rice hulls, soybean hulls, and other agricultural wastes to make adsorbents for water treatment.
Method development for rapid characterization and quantification of engineered nanomaterials – novel single nanoparticle (SP)-ICP-MS methods development and screening study in environmental and biological samples.
Most of our research projects are using advanced state-of-the-art instrument including ICP-MS equipped with HPLC for speciation, UFLC-MSn, GC-MS, ICP-OES, and more.
More information about our research can be found here.
Faculty Profile
Jay A. Switzer
Our group is interested in electrochemistry and inorganic materials chemistry. We use electrochemical deposition to produce epitaxial films and nanostructures of metal oxides. The emphasis in our group is on materials for energy conversion and storage, and on a new type of solid-state memory known as resistance random access memory (RRAM).
We have recently focused our efforts on electrodepositing cobalt oxide catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Our goal is to deposit these catalysts onto n-type semiconductors to produce photoelectrochemical solar cells that use sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gas.
More information about our research can be found here.