Grp photo 2025 Fall

Our research focus can be summarized as analytical surface-science. Nearly all of our research is based on measurements of chemical interactions with surfaces, and most of our instrumentation is specifically designed to examine interfacial phenomena. If you've ever wondered why oil spreading on water looks like a rainbow, why you can only make sand castles with wet sand, or how Rain-X® keeps your windshield so clean, you might be interested in our work. We use precice measurements of chemical behaviors to create new, fundamental understanding of these types of questions to address important challenges in environmental remediation, materials development, and energy science. 

Detailed descriptions of our research projects and some laboratory pictures can be found within this website.  If you have questions, feel free to send us an email or arrange a visit to our lab.  Follow us on Twitter @shawschem (group) or @shawchem (Prof Shaw)

Research for All

The Shaw group accepts that scientific advancement suffers without participation from all varied communities. We proactively engage all people regardless of status or ability. We acknowledge institutional challenges within the sciences, both for and against, certain groups of people. To counter this and provide clearer pathways to success, we work to create an inviting and enjoyable environment to do, and share, good science for all. Through formal training and informal interactions, we continuously strive to improve ourselves while advocating for each others’ success. We hope our efforts will support positive changes within our field.

 

Event and news feeds

Departmental Events

Data Management

Thursday, November 5, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Seamans Center
Build your scholarly toolkit with a workshop on research data management.

Organic Seminar- Ayomide Ajewole (Gerstner)

Thursday, November 5, 2026 12:30pm
Chemistry Building

"Arene C-H Functionalization: From Benzenoid Ring to Non-Benzenoid Aromatics"

Analytical Seminar- Emmanuel Ojomo (Margulis)

Thursday, November 5, 2026 12:30pm
Chemistry Building

"Detection of Polystyrene in mammalian tissue using O-PTIR"

Colloquium- Prof. Charlie Fehl of Wayne State University promotional image

Colloquium- Prof. Charlie Fehl of Wayne State University

Friday, November 6, 2026 3:30pm
Pappajohn Business Building

https://clasprofiles.wayne.edu/profile/gq0554

https://fehl-lab.com/

Title: "Nutrient-responsive glycosylation at the intersection of metabolism & disease: tools and targets"

Abstract: All cells use glucose. However, unregulated glucose levels in metabolic disease, diet, or genetic disposition can lead to increased disease risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and several types of cancer. Despite the importance of these pathologies, it is challenging to identify molecular targets that...

Physical & Environmental Chemistry Seminar- James W. Harris of UW- Madison

Monday, November 9, 2026 12:30pm
Chemistry Building

Title: “Exploring Vibrational Features and Coupling in Metal-Metal Multiply Bonded Systems”

Abstract: From rhodium paddlewheels to iron-nickel and iron-iron hydrogenases, metal-metal cooperativity through metal-metal bonds have generated interest in the field of catalysis. Characterization of these metal-metal bonds most often take the form of Raman spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. While useful tools, the impact of the metal-metal bond on other groups of atoms in the structure, such as...

View more events