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In the coming months, we’ll be focused on three primary goals: growing our research capacity, strengthening interdisciplinary collaborations and enhancing opportunities for students at all levels
Expanding our research-active, tenure-track faculty and securing large-scale federal grants are at the forefront of these efforts Initiatives like the Sustainable Energy Research Consortium (SERC) and the CHASE center exemplify our commitment to ambitious, transformative research that addresses global challenges while supporting the next generation of scientists. By renewing and expanding these initiatives, we will create the infrastructure to support innovative projects, faculty growth and increased participation from graduate, postdoctoral and undergraduate researchers.
Interdisciplinary partnerships also play a vital role in our vision Chemistry has always been a “central science,” connecting disciplines and research topics both fundamental and applied. We are poised to deepen collaborations with initiatives across campus, which will open doors to new research opportunities, technology development and entrepreneurship while reinforcing our core mission of fundamental science excellence. Many research center opportunities from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and Department of Defense offer exciting avenues to bring teams together to explore groundbreaking topics centered in Chemistry, ranging from catalysis to nanotechnology.
Our undergraduate programs are equally vital to the department’s future. Expanding research opportunities for undergraduates and developing formalized mentorship structures are key to preparing students for successful scientific careers. Initiatives such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Chemistry (SUROC) and the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network’s (RTNN) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) sites provide unparalleled experiences that combine rigorous research with professional development These programs also serve as pipelines for talented students outside UNC to enter our research programs, enriching our department and extending its influence
Beyond research and education, we are committed to fostering a vibrant, intergenerational community. Events like the recent Celebration of Women+ in Chemistry symposium highlight the progress we ’ ve made in creating a welcoming environment and inspire us to continue building bridges across generations and backgrounds These moments of connection remind us that people are our greatest asset and that our shared culture of respect and collaboration is what propels us forward
As we reflect on our achievements and envision the road ahead, I invite you all to join us in shaping the future of Chemistry at UNC Together, we will continue to lead with innovation, discovery and a commitment to excellence that benefits science and society alike
Sincerely,
JimCahoon Department Chairperson chemchair@unc.edu
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Article by Dave DeFusco
In the 1970s, Dr Thomas Meyer, a newly minted faculty member at UNC-Chapel Hill, concentrated his attention on two key areas of research: how electrons move between molecules electron-transfer reactions and the chemistry of certain transition metal complexes, specifically those involving ruthenium and osmium. In order to understand how electrons moved between molecules, he “excited” them by exposing them to light Collaborating with Dr David Whitten, who had built a specialized tool called a flash photolysis apparatus, they studied how a specific excited state of a molecule a ruthenium complex, [Ru(bipyridine)₃]²⁺ , or “Rubpy” could transfer electrons when exposed to light.
Their experiments showed that when the ruthenium complex was excited by light, it could effectively transfer an electron to another molecule called methyl viologen. This reaction was clear and immediate, demonstrating the concept of excited-state electron transfer. What made this groundbreaking was its potential: the energy stored temporarily in the reaction
products, the oxidized ruthenium complex and a reduced viologen, was enough to break water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen—a key step in producing hydrogen for clean energy storage applications.
Dr. Meyer’s breakthrough laid the groundwork for decades of research that established him as an
international authority in photochemistry, mechanisms, chemical reactivity and catalysis and solar energy conversion. In 2008, he founded the UNC Solar Energy Research Center (SERC) to provide infrastructure for sustained support of energy storage research at Carolina. The center catalyzed advancements in solar energy and positioned UNC as a leader in renewable energy science by fostering industry collaborations, hosting international conferences, and securing significant federal funding.
The first major federal grant obtained under SERC established the UNC Energy Frontier Research Center (UNC-EFRC) to tackle the complexities of solar energy technology. Over the next decade, combined support of the EFRC, National Science Foundation, Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy, and congressional funding would produce 302 publications and six patents, and train more than 200 researchers who went on to careers in academia, industry, and government.
As the Solar Energy Research Center achieved significant milestones, its leadership recognized that the scope of its mission needed to expand The scientific community was grappling with ways to mitigate climate change while meeting the world’s growing energy demands, and the challenges of sustainable energy were far too vast to be addressed by solar alone. Energy storage, alternative fuels, grid efficiency, and policy advocacy were becoming increasingly integral to the global energy conversation.
In 2022, this recognition led to a transformative moment in the center’s history: its evolution into the Sustainable Energy Research Consortium. This new name reflected a broadened mission and a renewed commitment to interdisciplinary research Under the direction of Dr Alexander Miller, a professor in UNC’s Department of Chemistry, and Dr. Daniel Kurtz, the consortium’s research project manager, SERC became a hub for
addressing the full spectrum of energy sustainability challenges and a symbol of UNC’s dedication to solving complex problems through collaboration and innovation. Researchers from diverse fields, including chemistry, engineering, materials science, and public policy joined forces to tackle challenges that transcend traditional academic boundaries. Since 2009, SERC has attracted $72 million in federal research funding.
“UNC has historically had crossdisciplinary strength in energy science, especially solar energy capture and conversion,” said Dr Miller “That expertise, together with the strong culture of collaborative research at UNC, has helped support the success of team science projects in the solar fuels space.”
The reimagined SERC operates on three foundational pillars: Facilities and Training Infrastructure: Cutting-edge tools and expertise to drive energy science innovation.
1. Collaborative Research Nucleation: Support for team science initiatives that tackle grand challenges.
3.
2 Community Building: Forums to connect academia, industry, government and the North Carolina public, fostering a thriving network of energy stakeholders.
At the heart of SERC’s portfolio lies the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE), launched in 2020 with a $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and one of two such Fuels from Sunlight Energy Innovation Hubs in the country.
Dr. Miller said UNC-supported grants management staff in SERC has been “critical” in attracting that kind of federal
Echoing Dr. Meyer’s earlier work, CHASE’s mission is to develop hybrid photoelectrodes that convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into liquid fuels. These innovations hold the promise of a carbon-neutral energy cycle, where fuels can be recycled without contributing to atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. support. When the EFRC ended, SERC funds provided bridge support for staff and researchers who proved integral to facilitating the formation of a new team to obtain the CHASE grant.
The goal of solar fuels follows from natural photosynthesis: create and use high-energy molecules on demand such as hydrogen from water splitting or carbon-based fuels from carbon dioxide. As fuels, they can be stored and used when needed, compatible with existing technologies.
“The biggest barrier is to couple the light harvesting component of photosynthesis with the chemical fuel production component,” said Dr Jillian Dempsey,
Dr Jillian Dempsey
deputy director of CHASE and Bowman and Gordon Gray Distinguished Term Professor. “Both of those individually will be challenging research targets, but finding a way to integrate the science of light harvesting and solar energy capture with the fuel production chemistry is really our major challenge.”
The interdisciplinary CHASE team has already made significant strides, including the development of hybrid photoelectrodes that efficiently produce liquid fuels from carbon dioxide, laying the groundwork for real-world applications that could fundamentally change how society harnesses energy.
Supporting this pioneering work are modern facilities, such as the Solar Fuels Product Analysis Lab and the Molecular Synthesis Lab, which provide essential tools for catalysis and fuel
benchmarking and offer opportunities for students to learn technical skills and work with cutting-edge instrumentation.
“They serve the broader UNC and North Carolina community,” said Dr. Miller, “and it has been fun to see how chemists in field adjacent to energy storage have made creative use of the instrumentation to further their projects.”
The implications of CHASE’s work are profound. By creating sustainable liquid fuels, the initiative addresses one of the most significant barriers to the widespread adoption of renewable energy: energy intermittency. This innovation has the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while providing a reliable and scalable energy source for industries like transportation and manufacturing.
As renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, become more prevalent, the need for efficient energy storage ngly urgent. ed nucleate entists who NC Creativity new center s for nextinitiative is -generation can store ently and
“SERC has provided the infrastructure to support our flagship centers the EFRC and CHASE and help them thrive,” said Dr. Dempsey. “Recently, the nucleation of a Next-Generation Lithium Batteries Creativity Hub has provided an example of how SERC can translate this model across a broader space of energy science.”
In particular, this Creativity Hub project, under the leadership of Dr. Wei You, a professor of chemistry and applied physical sciences, is focusing on advancing lithium-ion technology to leverage North Carolina’s vast lithium deposits. Led by a diverse team of chemists, materials scientists and engineers, the project aims to develop non-flammable solid-state electrolytes and high-capacity electrodes, paving the way for safer, more sustainable energy storage.
UNC’s commitment to battery innovation is further demonstrated by the planned Center for Energy Storage, which will serve as a regional hub for battery manufacturing and testing. These efforts align with North Carolina’s energy goals to reduce power sector emissions by 70% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The Center for Energy Storage is expected to attract top talent to the effort and foster collaborations with industry. Energy research has already garnered significant support in North Carolina, including a $15 million allocation made to the NC Collaboratory by the North Carolina General Assembly for next-generation energy research and development.
The CHASE Solar Hub is made up of researchers from many universities.
Photo by Nicholas Gruebl, N.G. Photography.
In addition to providing grants to researchers across the state, the NC Collaboratory plans to help institutions recruit faculty with expertise in energy storage research, further strengthening UNC’s leadership in this field.
“We can keep that strength while also expanding our reach to include emerging energy storage areas such as electrochemical energy storage batteries and nitrogen fixation,” said Dr Miller
The commitment to improving lithiumion batteries will bring together leading UNC faculty, including Dr. Theo Dingemans, chair of the Department of Applied Physical Sciences who specializes in ionic composite materials; Dr. James Cahoon, chair of the Department of Chemistry who is an expert in the chemical synthesis of semiconductor nanomaterials; Dr. Megan Jackson, an assistant professor of chemistry whose lab is focused on renewable energy storage; and Dr. Frank Leibfarth, Royce Murray Distinguished Term Professor of Chemistry and an expert in polymer science.
Dr. You will lead this team of experts in pursuing three main objectives: creating non-flammable, solid-state polymer electrolyte materials; developing highcapacity carbon- and silicon-based electrodes; and increasing capacity for the fabrication and testing of sustainable batteries
SERC’s influence extends far beyond the boundaries of UNC-Chapel Hill. By partnering with local industries, policymakers and community organizations, the consortium plays a vital role in shaping North Carolina’s workforce. By producing graduates skilled in cutting-edge energy science and engineering, SERC is preparing the next generation of leaders for careers in the energy sector, addressing the growing demand for expertise in areas like renewable energy systems design, battery manufacturing, sustainable chemicals and energy policy. The consortium also offers training workshops for local companies, builds pipelines to North Carolina’s energy sectors and opens its facilities to startups, accelerating innovation and economic growth.
Since 2009, SERC conferences have showcased a dynamic progression in addressing challenges related to solar energy, energy storage, and synthetic fuels. Initially, these events focused on groundbreaking topics such as nextgeneration photovoltaics, unmet needs in solar fuels and energy storage and bridging science, engineering, and policy. Over time, the center broadened its scope to include discussions on photonic materials, dye-sensitized solar fuel devices and pioneering research in energy storage and photocatalysis. In the last five years, the emphasis has shifted toward advanced themes like photocatalysis with inorganic materials and synthetic fuels, prioritizing practical applications and cutting-edge research.
In November, SERC hosted the conference, Future Fuels & Breakthrough Batteries, that convened researchers from the across the United States in fields related to energy storage, including scientists working on batteries who don’t often interact with those studying synthetic fuels.
how researchers in different energy storage focus areas can learn so much from each other ”
Students and panelists from the Future Fuels & Better Batteries Conference
“It was extremely exciting to hold the first standalone conference in Chapel Hill since 2017,” said Dr. Miller. “This meeting showed
As the world faces the dual challenges of climate change and energy insecurity, SERC seeks to cement UNC’s position as a global leader in the energy transition to renewables. With deep roots established during five decades of fundamental and applied studies of photochemistry, electrochemistry and materials science, SERC is well positioned to support pioneering Carolina chemists.
“UNC has a rich history of research in photochemistry and solar energy, from fundamental studies of excited states to dye-sensitized solar cells to organic photocatalysis,” said Dr. Miller. “We can keep that strength while also expanding our reach to include emerging energy storage areas such as electrochemical energy storage batteries and nitrogen fixation.”
Through research team nucleation, shared instrumentation facilities and community engagement, SERC can help UNC researchers achieve bold goals.
“Carolina chemistry has a rich history of excellence in photochemistry, electrochemistry, and catalysis, and an equally rich tradition of collaboration and mentoring,” said Dr. Miller. “By strengthening collaboration and facilitating innovation, SERC can strengthen this legacy and write new chapters while taking on the global challenge of sustainable energy.”
Written by:
EMILY SHERMAN
On October 25, the UNC-Chapel Hill Celebration of Women+ in Chemistry gathered over 200 students, postdocs, faculty, and alumni from industry and academia to honor their professional achievements and share their unique experiences with the next generation.
“The past 20 years have brought an exciting academic and personal journey that’s come full circle,” said Dr. Lindsay Ingerman James, UNC-Chapel Hill alum and director of the Chemical Biology[MOU1] program in the Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy “The supportive faculty, amazing students,[MOU2] and collaborative work environment have kept me at UNC the entirety of my 20-year career, as have my husband and kids. We are all die-hard Tar Heels; even our one-year-old son boos Duke whenever a game comes on TV.”
The first female tenure-track faculty member in UNC’s Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry in the School of Pharmacy, James develops strategies for destroying cancer-promoting proteins. By synthesizing molecules that link these proteins to enzymes in proteindegradation paths, James’s group can recruit the body’s natural machinery to destroy the harmful molecules The group demonstrated they can destroy their specific protein target which is associated with bone marrow cancer.
“In the last 50 years, the department has made immense progress towards creating an equitable, inclusive community for people of all backgrounds,” said Department of Chemistry chair Jim Cahoon as he highlighted Linda Spremulli, the first female Department chair and faculty member. “The Celebration of Women+ in Chemistry was an opportunity to recognize that progress and continue building the intergenerational community that will drive us forward”
“The Celebration of Women+ in Chemistry was an opportunity to recognize that progress and continue building a diverse community to drive progress for everyone.”
James was just one of the women who presented her contributions at the symposium in the historic Carolina Inn Others included UNC Professor Jillian Dempsey, who leads the charge to develop renewable fuels as the Deputy Director of the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE) She shared her group's quest for creating an “artificial leaf” whose surface absorbs energy from the sun and uses it to convert CO2 into liquid fuel.
STUDENTS, POST-DOCS, FACULTY, ALUMNI AND ADMINISTRATORS CAME TOGETHER TO ORGANIZE THE 2024 CELEBRATION OF WOMEN+ IN CHEMISTRY.
Alum Dr. Sharon Burgmayer reflected on her 40-year journey from inorganic graduate student to tenured professor, then dean, at Bryn Mawr College As a student in Dr Joe Templeton's group, Burgmayer became intrigued by the element molybdenum, or as she affectionately named it: "Moly" This passion guided her group ’ s research, which unearthed new details of molybdenum-containing enzymes' structure and reactivity and shed light on Moly's role in vital enzymatic processes, including DNA processing and toxin destruction.
"After spending my 40-year career with Moly, I'm now in the process of retiring: closing my labs, writing my last manuscripts…" said Burgmayer, "so the invitation to speak at the symposium makes me feel like I've come full circle."
Although her research interests led her to the West Coast, Dr. Valerie Schmidt, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCSD, still considers UNC the heart of her research training. During her address, the alum described how she used her training to investigate the flow of electrons at the core of her group ’ s new synthetic reactions. This understanding allowed them to revisit a supposed solved problem in synthesis and develop a new, more efficient method to form the carbon-nitrogen bonds ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals
“That’s the best thing about science,” said Schmidt. “It’s never done! There’s always something more to study”
In addition to the faculty presenters, nine alumnae panelists from across academia and industry shared their insights on a variety of topics Some recommended strategies for finding a supportive work environment; these included asking interviewers about the contributions of women in the company and what percentage are promoted. Others suggested seeking mentors in diverse roles, including professional sponsors, emotional supporters, and role models. A third panel described strategies for supporting underrepresented chemists such as highlighting their contributions to the field and promoting their placement in leadership positions. Other alumnae informally shared their experiences, including Mary Grimm, who earned her B.S. in Chemistry in the 1960s and was the only woman in her class; she went on to investigate pesticides’ effects with the newly founded Environmental Protection Agency
poster session Poster presentation winners included Raina Semenick, Courtney Johnson, Abigail Gringeri, and Gabrielle West, and Kriti Shukla
“When I decided to pursue graduate studies at UNC in 1991, I remember seeing the high representation of female students and feeling included, like my representation would matter,” said Jennifer McCafferty, Merck executive and organizing committee member.
It's wonderful to return and honor the fantastic women who help make up the department today.
In the final keynote address, McCafferty blended a primer on drug development with key lessons from her journey to Senior VP at Merck. As she travelled from the analytical laboratories at UNC, to the production factories at Merck, to the upper echelons of management, she sought ways to integrate family life with her fast-paced career Her advice to the next generation of chemists?
“Lean into your life, into your career, and find the blend you need to be your authentic self. There’s no perfect solution for integrating the two, but there are ways to
STUDENTS PRESENTED THEIR WORK TO VISITING ALUMNI, FACULTY, AND FELLOW STUDENTS AT THE CELEBRATION’S POSTER SESSION.
Current graduate students were highlighted as well: several moderated the panelists’ discussions or presented lightning-fast poster pitches from the symposium stage, while over 30 students presented their work during the
Surprising Protein Binding Mechanism
Robotic Automation, AI Will Accelerate Progress in Science Laboratories
Creativity Hubs Project Aims to Position UNC as Leader in Solid-State Battery Tech
Researchers Design EnzymeMimicking Polymers Promising Greener Industrial Practices
Chemistry Student Aims to Transform Dialysis Treatment
Yosuke Kanai Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society
Breakthrough in Production of Key Component of Solar Tech
Breakthrough in Understanding Complex Systems in Thermodynamics
Exploring Chemical Methods to Renewable Energy’s Biggest Challenge
Database to Predict Cancer DNA Anomalies Fuzzy Graphene Technique Paving the Way for CarbonNeutral Economy
In 2024, the US EPA established national limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water. These chemicals called PFAS or per- and polyfluroalkyl substances have made products convenient and easy to use for years. That includes items like Teflon pans, tissues and water-resistant jackets But research shows that PFAS chemicals cause a variety of health issues including cancer Scientists at UNC and beyond are investigating all aspects of PFAS, including how to identify them and how to remove them
Dr Erin Baker and her lab have identified 11 additional types of PFAS in the Cape Fear River, including eight that were previously unknown to the Environmental Protection Agency
Dr Frank Leibfarth is amongst the leaders of the charge at UNC Chapel Hill on how to do this, by creating a way to remove PFAS from water selectively, through leveraging chemical interactions Former graduate student Dr Irene Manning helped him get initial results by developing the technology needed to do lab testing on polluted water Their goal was to be able to implement their filtration technology in real life. With the help of many partners at Carolina and funding, these experts are taking testing to the next level, running full-scale pilots at wastewater facilities.
Dr. Abby Knight returned to UNC as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry. Her group broadly works in designing macromolecular materials with functions inspired by biological systems Some areas of research include creating biomimetic copolymers and peptidepolymer amphiphiles Abby has recently received numerous awards for her work in this area Listen to more about her research here
This annual celebration of science features more than 100 hands-on activities and science demonstrations led by students, researchers, and faculty from UNC-Chapel Hill. The UNC Science Expo is a chance for children to get up close and personal with cutting edge science hands-on activities, demonstrations, games, and performances See more of our students and faculty at the 2024 expo here
UNC Chemistry hosted the second annual Cookies with Professors doing Cool Research The event is a chance for undergrad students to interact with chemistry research professors in a casual setting Research is a major part of the UNC Chemistry Department that most undergrads never get to experience, and we hope this allowed more students to consider academic research as a future component of their education
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Whether you give to support scholarships or faculty, critical research or the arts, your gifts of all sizes mean the world to Carolina Check out the heartfelt gratitude for your generosity in this 2024 GiveThanks video. GiveThanks is an annual celebration hosted by the University Development Office to show appreciation for Carolina’s generous supporters.
To learn more about gift options, please contact Colleen Sisneros.
Congratulations to Karen Holmes, Research Administrator or Business Accounting Manager, who reached 40 years of service to UNC this year! Her commitment and contributions to our UNC are truly invaluable, and we are incredibly grateful to have her as part of our department
Collin McKinney, Director of the Engineering Innovations Lab, has retired after more than two decades of service to UNC. We are all happy for Collin on this major milestone but also regret having a wonderful colleague leave our department. We wish Collin all the best as he embarks on new adventures and projects. This fall Laura Yurco, Associate Chair for Business Administration, accepted a position in the UNC School of Medicine as Director of Business and Operations for the UNC TEACCH Program after seven years with us in Chemistry. We are sorry to see her go, but wish her all the best. We thank Laura for all of the hard work and dedication that she gave to UNC Chemistry.
The Say Yes Funds allow the Chair to ‘Say Yes!’ to exceptional and urgent requests from Chemistry Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students and Postdocs for small yet valuable amounts of support, which contribute greatly to their research and education. By Saying “Yes!” many new and exciting ideas have ignited for Chemistry education and research. Not only did new ideas spark, collaborations formed that may have otherwise gone undiscovered. The funds provide necessary resources for the expansion of research education and
opportunities. This year, funds enabled undergraduate students to engage in summer research with our renowned faculty, supported the purchase of new instrumentation that increased research capabilities for student researchers and established new events and programs for students.
Your gifts to the “Say Yes” fund have already provided so many wonderful opportunities for our students and faculty. With your help, we can bring in the new year with the support needed for an exciting future ahead. Say Yes to Chemistry by contributing today, even the smallest gift will make a tremendous difference.
2024TannerAwardforExcellence inUndergraduateTeaching 2023StudentUndergraduate TeachingandStaffAward
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UNCSystem'sUndergraduate ResearchProgramAward
2023-2024
CreativityHubs Finalist YOSUKEKANAI ElectedFellowof theAmerican PhysicalSociety ABIGAILKNIGHT
2024AlfredP.Sloan ResearchFellowship 2024PMSEEarly InvestigatorAwardfrom ACSPolymericMaterials
CamilleDreyfusTeacher-
2024AlfredP.Sloan
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Your gifts to the “Say Yes” fund provide so many wonderful opportunities to our students and faculty. With your help, we can bring in the new year with the support needed for an exciting future ahead. To make a gift today, you may use your phone or tablet camera to scan the QR code or visit chem.unc.edu/home/give/. We thank you in advance for saying “Yes” to chemistry!
chem.unc.edu/give
To learn more about gift options, please contact Colleen Sisneros, Associate Director of Development at csisnero@email.unc.edu or 919962-6182.