Our Alumni
Former Phase II Centers
CCE - sunset in 2021
Center for Chemical Evolution
How life began is one of the most intriguing questions of all time. The Center for Chemical Evolution studies the origins and early evolution of biopolymers, i.e., nucleic acids, polypeptides and polysaccharides. Our approach, guided by simple chemistry, has demonstrated that potential precursors of the modern biopolymers can form spontaneously under conditions that were likely present on the early Earth. These findings have implications for the search for life beyond Earth, and inform additional studies in green chemistry, drug design and analytical tool development.
CENTC - sunset in 2018
Center for Enabling New Technologies through Catalysis
The aim of the CENTC was to discover and develop catalytic science that will enable the implementation of new processes for efficient, environmentally responsible production of chemicals and fuels from common feedstocks. Through catalysis, CENTC researchers sought to lower the energy costs to transforming chemicals, use inexpensive, abundant, and non-toxic starting materials, and generate less waste.
Website: http://depts.washington.edu/centc/
CaSTL - sunset in 2020
Chemistry at the
Space Time Limit
The mission of the Center for Chemistry at the Space-Time Limit (CaSTL) was to develop the essential science and technology to probe single chemical events in real space and time. The tools were designed to unravel elementary steps in chemistry, in heterogeneous and nanocatalysis, and in photophysics.
Website: https://www.castl.uci.edu/
CCI Solar Fuels - sunset in 2019
CCI Solar Fuels
CCI Solar research targeted critical basic-science challenges facing efficient, solar-driven conversion of water to H2 and O2. Understanding the fundamental processes of light absorption, charge transport, and multielectron redox catalysis was the overarching goal of the CCI Solar program. These processes must ultimately work in concert. Knowing the enormous size of the energy sector, their work focused on materials and molecular complexes compatible with wide spread use. Research focuses on three primary areas: development of enhanced light absorbers; discovery of optimized catalyst materials; and integration of components into functional assemblies.
Website: https://thesolararmy.org/
CSMC - sunset in 2018
Center for Sustainable
Materials Chemistry
The CSMC explored solution-based methods for producing very high-quality thin films and patterns as building blocks for next-generation devices. With its water-based chemistries, the Center demonstrated leading-edge results in nanocluster synthesis, nanopatterning, integrated device performance, and solar water splitting.