MSI member Kayla Nguyen once dreamed of floating in space. Now she instills dreams in other aspiring scientists. A profile of Assistant Professor of Physics Kayla Nguyen. https://research.uoregon.edu/about/announcements/people-physics-problem-solving
News
Creative approaches net chem profs special awards
MSI member Vickie DeRose has been awarded a creativity extension by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research into the structure and function of ribonucleic acid (RNA) through its interactions with metal ions. Fellow MSI member Mike Pluth was awarded an NSF creativity extension in 2023 for his work on the role small sulfur-based molecules play in many biological processes. These molecules were likely key species involved in evolution, especially before there was oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere. https://research.uoregon.edu/about/announcements/creative-approaches-net-chem-profs-special-awards
Taylor Lab research team unlocks strategies driving neuron connections
Using high-resolution imaging and 3D computer modeling, a University of Oregon research team has found that the branching arms of neurons weave through space in a way that balances their need to connect to other neurons with the costs of doing so. “Around the O” March 2, 2021 http://bit.ly/30cG0Ql
Three new patents issued to MSI research labs support clean water, spectroscopy, and detection of possible toxic materials in the environment
US Pat No 10315185 was issued to Professor Darren Johnson, Kara Nell & @PNNLab for a functionalized solid support surface to remove metals from water. This can help recover rare earth elements and create clean water. http://ow.ly/2WCI50uK6Jm
US Pat No 9964531 was issued to Prof. Michael Haley, Prof. Darren Johnson, Dr. Jeffrey Engle & Dr. Calden Carroll for compounds that bind & help to detect target molecules. This system is reusable detection of possible toxic materials in the environment. http://ow.ly/VUiU50uEs9I
US Pat No 9960008 was issued to Prof. Benjamin McMorran and Research Associate Tyler Harvey for a device to measure electron orbital angular momentum states. This allows for a wholly new type of electron spectroscopy.http://ow.ly/UM4g50uEso5
Collaboration between Pluth and Darren Johnson labs to build new H2S sending materials and devices
Their new form of measurement may help doctors find clues about our health related to aging. http://bit.ly/2KCULFk
Cook Lab is working to make chemical production more sustainable
In her research, Prof. Amanda Cook is working to refine the production of chemicals like acrylate that are used in tens of thousands of products, to make them more sustainable. http://bit.ly/2ufK425
Haley Lab researchers closer to making organic molecules for electronics
With a couple of chemical tweaks, University of Oregon chemists have taken a step forward in efforts to harness organic molecules as a cheaper alternative to traditional silicon-based conductors in digital storage devices. http://bit.ly/2SbolU2
Prof. McMorran’s microscopy research highlighted in Wired
“New Microscope Show the Quantum World in Crazy Detail” in Wired Magazine highlights the work of Prof. Benjamin McMorran and Ph.D. student Fehmi Yasin. https://www.wired.com/story/new-microscope-shows-the-quantum-world-in-crazy-detail/
Machine Learning Symposium – Sept. 20
Researchers interested in creating a community of UO scientists using machine learning as an analysis tool will be meeting September 20th from 12:30 to 4 pm in the EMU ballroom on Thursday, Sept. 20th. Short talks and conversation will explore specific topics. See https://pages.uoregon.edu/raghu/machine_learning_symposium_2018.html for more information. Registration if free. Please sign up by September 10th at this link.
Chemical catalysis expert to join Energy and Sustainable Materials Cluster
Dr. Amanda Cook will be will be joining the UO Chemistry faculty this summer as a part of the UO’s Energy & Sustainable Materials Clusters of Exellence program. After receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan while working for Prof. Melanie Sanford, Dr. Cook began working for Prof. Christophe Coperet at ETH Zurich as a post-doctoral fellow. At Oregon, Dr. Cook’s research program will design and develop new catalysts for the transformation of organic molecules. Using a molecular approach to surface chemistry, solid catalysts will be synthesized, allowing for in-depth mechanistic studies to be carried out. The targeted catalytic reactions are of potential industrial utility, and include carbon dioxide reduction, alkyne functionalization, and biomass conversion.