Speaker: Tewodros Asefa  Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, The State University of New Jersey

Title: "Rational Design and Synthesis of Multifunctional Nanomaterials for Catalysis, Energy and Nanomedicine"

Abstract: The pace of development of nanomaterials has not let up since the foundation of the National Nanotechnology Initiatives (NNI) in the US, and the likes of it around the world, some 20 years ago. In the first part of my talk, I will discuss my research group’s efforts on the rational design and synthesis of various metal-free or noble metal-free hybrid nanostructured and nanoporous materials and their unique properties and applications for catalysis and renewable energy. I will emphasize on how chemistry enables the development of highly active, multifunctional nanocatalysts for reactions such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and the hydrazine oxidation reaction (HOR)—reactions that are relevant to fuel cells and water splitting. In the second part of my talk, I will describe how similar synthetic approaches can lead to related nanomaterials that serve as drug delivery vehicles, antimicrobials or wound dressings