The research interests of the department include various areas of experimental and theoretical chemistry. The department has an internationally renowned program in colloid and materials chemistry which is actively supported by government agencies and industrial sponsors. Front-edge research involves colloidal particles and their applications in high-technology materials as well as in liquid systems and their pharmaceutical and biological applications. Studies in analytical chemistry involve electrochemistry and bioelectrochemistry, chromatography, spectrophotometry, and separations; radiochemical techniques in atmospheric aerosol science; and the use of computers in the interpretation of analytical data. Advanced topics in the analysis of solids, liquids, and gases (aerosols) are available for students interested in industrial hygiene vocations.
Investigations in organic chemistry are concerned with photochemistry, organic synthesis, synthesis with enzymes, free radicals, pharmaceuticals, mechanisms of organic reactions, and nuclear magnetic resonance studies. Studies in physical chemistry include thermodynamics, kinetics, molecular quantum chemistry, collision dynamics, and spectroscopy. Work in biochemistry involves proteins, protein-DNAinteractions, biosensors, bioelectronics, vesicles and membrane models. Polymer studies include microemulsions, liquid crystals, smart materials, biomaterials, plasma deposition, and coating of fine particles for use in electronics, ceramics, and composite materials manufacture.
Excellent laboratory facilities and equipment are available for this work, including one of New York State's premier Centers for Advanced Technology, Clarkson's Center for Advanced Materials Processing. They include scanning and transmission electron microscopes; scanning probe microscope; atomic force microscopes, a number of atomic absorption, infrared, visible and ultraviolet spectrophotometers including recording, stopped-flow, relaxation spectroscopy, and single photon counting fluorescence instruments; analytical and preparative ultracentrifuges; nuclear magnetic resonance, laser Raman spectrometers, dynamic and static light-scattering photometers; liquid scintillation (beta) and gamma counting, x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive x-ray elemental analysis equipment; gas chromatographs and high-performance liquid chromatography instruments and laboratory computers.