Materials research at UChicago cuts across disciplinary boundaries to create new and novel materials. Materials science helps us to understand and create novel properties that emerge from complex chemical systems.
Nanomaterials
Quantum dots, 2D materials, plasmonics
Polymers
Synthesis of functional organic materials
Biomaterials
Nature's macromolecular assemblies
Quantum Materials
Controlling quantum dynamics in materials
Microscopy and Nanoscopy
Linking structure to function
Solar Light Harvesting
Capturing light to power the planet
Soft Condensed Matter
Jamming, sticking, and patterning
Theory
Working at the interface between theory and experiment
Materials Faculty
UChicago Material Scientists span disciplinary boundaries sharing ideas across fields
Polymer Brushes, Chemical Engineering, Biomolecular Engineering
Vincenzo Vitelli
Theory, Soft Matter, Phase Transitions
Sihong Wang
Polymer Electronics, Biomaterials, Chemical Engineering
Luping Yu
Organic Solar Cells, Polymer Design, Organic Materials
Unified by our desire to create new materials, our faculty work collaboratively across a wide array of scientific disciplines
Affiliations
Join Us
Prospective Graduate Students
Graduate students should apply to one of the doctoral programs listed below.
Prospective Postdoctoral Scholars
Postdoctoral Scholars should apply directly to one of faculty listed above.
Prospective Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students should apply directly to the College.
Nanomaterials
Quantum dots, 2D materials, plasmonics
Novel material properties arise from quantum confinement and then hierarchical assembly of functional nanoscale building blocks.
Learn more about Nanomaterials from the groups below.
Polymers
Synthesis of functional organic materials
Working at the intersection of organic chemistry and materials science, UChicago scientists synthesize and characterize novel organic materials with well-controlled electronic and optical properties. We explore relationships between chemical structure and properties to facilitate discovery of new organic materials for organic solar cells, organic electronics, water splitting, and other practical applications.
Learn more about Polymers from the groups below.
Biomaterials
Nature's macromolecular assemblies
Biology has evolved function for billions of years. Proteins, lipids, and glyco-proteins form elaborate networks with incredible structures and functions. Cytoskeletons exert force. Photosynethtic light harvesting antennae power and feed the planet. Membranes provide the interfaces that define biology.
Learn more about Biomaterials from the groups below.
Quantum Materials
Controlling quantum dynamics in materials
From quantum information to solar light harvestings, quantum dynamics and the material properties that govern quantum correlations, confinement, and entanglement imbue materials with novel properties.
Learn more about Quantum Materials from the groups below.
Microscopy and Nanoscopy
Linking structure to function
We can't understand what we can't see. Imaging with chemical specificity at or below the diffraction limit enables new probes of biology and materials.
Learn more about Microscopy and Nanoscopy from the groups below.
Solar Light Harvesting
Capturing light to power the planet
Capturing solar light and harnessing the energy for society's use remains a scientific grand challenge. We create materials for novel solar cells, and illuminate design principles of solar light harvesting.
Learn more about Solar Light Harvesting from the groups below.
Soft Condensed Matter
Jamming, sticking, and patterning
Materials far from equilibrium exhibit novel and complex properties. We seek insights to control properties and design whole new classes of smart materials. For example, granular matter, optical matter, and biomaterials all exhibit unusual properties emerging from self-assembly under non-equilibrium conditions.
Learn more about Soft Condensed Matter from the groups below.
Theory
Working at the interface between theory and experiment
Alongside our experimental efforts, we develop, apply, and explore new theoretical methods and models to understand complex emergent phenomena in functional materials. From biology to quantum materials to light harvesting and energy transport, we construct new ways to understand physical phenomena and interpret data.
