The Center for Materials Chemistry at the University of Houston (CMC-UH) is the continuation of the Materials Center that was established by the National Science Foundation in September of 1996. Professor Allan J. Jacobson serves as the Director an Professor David M. Hoffman is the Deputy Director of the multi-disciplinary center. The research group includes fifteen additional faculty members from physics, chemistry, and chemical engineering. The center has two major research themes:

Advanced Oxides and Related Materials
The Theme I interdisciplinary research group is coordinated by Professor Scott Perry (Chemistry) and includes faculty members from physics and chemistry. The research team is conducting basic and applied research on the synthesis, characterization, and properties of oxide materials that have technologically important applications in heterogeneous catalysis and in optical and ionic devices. Of particular current interest are porous inorganic structures, thin films, non-linear optical properties and oxides with mixed electronic ionic conductivity that have applications in membrane and electrocatalytic reactors, solid oxide fuel cells, and chemical sensors.

Controlled Structures and Properties of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Nanomaterials and Thin Films
The Theme II interdisciplinary research group is coordinated by Professor T. Randall Lee (Chemistry) and includes faculty members from chemistry and chemical engineering. This team utilizes experimental and theoretical methods to develop new classes of optical, electronic, and biological materials for use in applications ranging from microelectronics devices to tissue engineering. Specific targets include the preparation of hybrid inorganic-organic nanoparticles and thin films, mesoporous layered composites, and biologically active templates and nanostructures. Potential applications include lasing materials, light-harvesting devices, chemical and biological sensors, targeted drug delivery, and artificial skin and bone.

Education
Education and training of material scientists and engineers are important components of the CMC-UH program. The Center is providing hands-on research experience for postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students, and visiting researchers.

Industry
Industry partners will help formulate the research goals and participate in joint projects to maximize technology transfer to the commercial sector. Companies with specific interests in the material and engineering themes of CMC-UH are invited to participate. For more information on available partnerships, contact Professor Allan J. Jacobson at (713) 743-2785 or by e-mail at ajjacob@uh.edu.