College of Chemistry

New process makes ‘biodegradable’ plastics truly compostable

April 21, 2021
by Robert Sanders | UC Berkeley Public Affairs

Example of degraded plastic after process

A modified plastic (left) breaks down after just three days in standard compost (right) and entirely after two weeks. (UC Berkeley photo by Ting Xu)

Biodegradable plastics have been advertised as one solution to the plastic pollution problem...

Evan Miller awarded 2021 Donald S. Noyce Undergraduate Teaching Prize

April 20, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Evan Miller

The College of Chemistry is pleased to announce that Evan Miller, (Ph.D. ’09, Chem) Associate Professor of Chemistry and Molecular & Cell Biology and of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology, has been awarded the 2021 Donald Sterling Noyce Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching....

A protein voyage into cells enabled by a short helical protein

April 16, 2021
By Xizi (Kelsey) Zhang | QB3

Three common pathways of endocytosis in a cell to internalize outside substances.

Three common pathways of endocytosis in a cell to internalize outside substances. Figure credit: scientificanimations.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The...

Improved desalination process also removes toxic metals to produce clean water

April 16, 2021
by Robert Sanders | UC Berkeley Public Affairs

flexible polymer membrane

A flexible polymer membrane incorporating nanoparticles of PAF selectively absorbs nearly 100% of metals such mercury, copper or iron during desalination, more efficiently...

2021 Priestley Medalist A. Paul Alivisatos helped introduce the world to the nanocrystal

April 14, 2021
Mitch Jacoby | C&EN

Paul Alivisatos

2021 Priestley Medalist A. Paul Alivisatos helped introduce the world to the nanocrystal. Photo Gabriela Hasbun for C&EN.

Some scientists make discoveries that trigger a tidal wave of research. Some inspire so many others to join their scientific endeavor that a new field of research is born....

College of Chemistry graduate programs get high honors in new U.S. News rankings

March 31, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

College of Chemistry campus

The latest U.S. News & World Report national rankings has placed the College’s graduate programs in chemistry and ...

Guggenheim Fellowship awarded to Christopher Chang

April 10, 2021
UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry Press Release

Chris Chang

The College of Chemistry is pleased to announce that Christopher Chang, Class of 1942 Chair Professor of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, is among this year’s 184 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation fellows. The prestigious award recognizes scholars with impressive achievements in fields ranging from the...

This Hydrogen Fuel Machine Could Be the Ultimate Guide to Self-Improvement

April 5, 2021
by Theresa Duque | Berkeley Lab

Guosong Zeng, Francesca Toma, Berkeley Lab

Guosong Zeng, a postdoctoral scholar, and Francesca Toma, a staff scientist, both in Berkeley Lab’s Chemical Sciences Division, test an artificial photosynthesis device made of gallium nitride. Toma and Zeng discovered that the device, rather than degrading over time, improves with use. (Credit: Thor...

In Memoriam: David Shirley

April 2, 2021
Steve Kevan and Maria-Novella Piancastelli of Uppsala University | Berkeley Lab

David Shirley

David Arthur Shirley, former director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, died on March 29, 2021, of age-related illness. Shirley was a pioneer of electron spectroscopy, a teacher, a mentor, and an extraordinary scientific leader with broad vision, who spearheaded the creation of the...

Alivisatos and Grätzel receive the Frontiers Award for developing new nanomaterials applied in renewable energies

April 1, 2021
BBVA press release

solar cell

The BBVA Foundation has awarded the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Basic Sciences category to Paul Alivisatos and Michael Grätzel for their fundamental contributions to the development of new nanomaterials that are already being applied both in solar energy production and in next-generation electronics. The work of both winners opens the door to new avenues...