Materials in Color

Our Research

In the Materials in Color (MiC) stream, we aim to understand the fundamental chemical and photophysical properties of a class of molecules called dyes and apply that knowledge to next-generation materials synthesis. Dyes are large, colorful, organic molecules that absorb light of various colors in the visible spectrum. This absorption of light causes the dye to become “excited,” and this excited dye molecule can be used to initiate useful chemical reactions for us. We’re particularly interested in polymerization reactions as an application for these light-excited dyes.

Our Strategy

MiC researchers investigate a class of dyes that have completely unknown chemical and photophysical properties. Characterizing these properties using principles of analytical and organic chemistry (reactivity studies, spectroscopy, and electrochemistry) will help us understand how the chemical structure of the dyes relate to their function as chemical reaction initiators. 

In our lab, teams of student researchers, along with knowledgeable peer mentors, characterize a dye of interest using a host of photophysical, spectroscopic, reactivity studies, and other analytical techniques. Students learn fundamental chemistry lab concepts and techniques throughout this characterization process.

Our Impact

Soft materials, such as plastics, are ubiquitous in our everyday lives, however their production requires large amounts of energy, often in the form of heat. Light represents an abundant and renewable alternative for soft materials fabrication, yet contemporary light-driven industrial chemistry relies on the use of high intensity and high energy ultraviolet (UV) rays. To overcome these hurdles, MiC explores the use of organic dyes as efficient visible light-activated catalysts to generate next generation materials.