Graduate programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry 
Inorganic/Organic Materials Chemistry, Chemical History
Materials Research
Our research focuses on synthetic approaches to unique π-conjugated systems to produce materials with improved optical and electronic properties. Conjugated polymers are of considerable fundamental and technological interest due to a wide variety of potential applications, including their use in batteries, sensors, electrochromic devices, LEDs, and field effect transistors. Presently, we are studying a variety of nitrogen-derivatized polythiophene-based systems as potential low bandgap materials. These systems include polythieno[3,4-b]pyrazines, polyalkylaminothiophenes, and polythienopyrroles (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Poly(2,3-dialkylthieno[3,4-b]pyrazine) (A), polyalkylaminothiophene (B), and N-functionalized poly(dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrrole) (C).
In addition to producing conjugated polymers with reduced band gaps and lower oxidation potentials, another goal is to utilize the binding ability of the nitrogen functionalities to produce metallated polymeric materials (Figure 2). Such materials would combine the electro- and photochemical properties of classical transition metal coordination complexes with the electronic and optical properties of conjugated organic polymers. The combined attributes of these hybrid polymeric systems should provide materials that are of interest for the design of donor-acceptor conjugated systems utilizing inorganic sites as both donors and acceptors, as well as serving as electro- or photosensitive switches. In addition, heterometallic polymers could act as “push-pull” compounds which are of particular interest for the design of nonlinear optical materials.
Figure 2. A metallated polythieno[3,4-b]pyrazine
Students working on these projects gain experience in organic, inorganic, and polymer synthesis, as well as gain experience with a variety of spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques.
Chemical History
My main historical focus is the incorporation of chemical history into the chemical curriculum. During the last few decades, there has been a growing awareness regarding the important role played by the teaching of the History of Science in undergraduate and graduate science courses. Over the years various authors have given sound justification for the inclusion of a historical component in science programs. As applied to chemistry, these include that:
- History promotes better comprehension of scientific concepts and methods.
- History illustrates the importance of individual thought and creativity in the development of science.
- History is necessary to understand the nature of science.
- History counteracts the dogmatic view of science commonly found in texts and classes.
- History humanizes the subject matter of science, making it less abstract and more engaging for students.
- History shows the connections between chemical disciplines.
- History allows one to more easily identify and confront pseudoscience.
Specific historical projects include research on the history and genealogy of the NDSU chemistry department, the biography of Edwin Ladd, and research on glass technology of the 1400s.