College of Chemistry

Cracking the code to soot formation

September 7, 2018
Sciencedaily.com | DOE/Sandia National Laboratories

industrial sootThe longstanding mystery of soot formation, which combustion scientists have been trying to explain for decades, appears to be finally solved, thanks to research led by scientists at Sandia National Laboratories. This groundbreaking work was published in 'Science' magazine with involvement from scientists at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley Lab.

Turning chemical bonds inside out

July 23, 2018


Richmond Sarpong research teamImagine a future where chemists could restructure the morphine molecule to have the opiate pain management value but not the addictive side effect. That is one possible outcome of an exciting new process being reported in Science magazine from the chemistry lab of Richmond Sarpong at UC Berkeley.

The never-ending race to concoct the bluest blue

September 7, 2018
By Priscilla Frank | Huffington Post

quantum blue pigmentIn an underground lab in California, scientists have created a new hue called Quantum Blue. Fifth-year Ph.D. chemistry students Arunima Balan and Joseph Swabeck are on the trail to the blueset blue. Paul Alivisatos, Samsung distinguished professor of nanoscience and nanotechnology opened up his lab and assigned Balan and Swabeck to work on the fascinating problem of creating the new pigment color using quantum dot technology with artist Olga Alexopoulou.

CBE Professor Clayton Radke receives 2018 Faculty Outstanding Mentorship of GSIs award

October 22, 2018
by Marge d'Wylde | College of Chemistry

Clayton Radke wins Faculty GSI Mentorship award

Each spring graduate students are invited to nominate faculty members for the Faculty Award for Outstanding Mentorship of Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs.) Typically each nomination is supported by several GSIs who have worked with the honoree. The award, sponsored by the Graduate Council’s Advisory Committee for GSI Affairs and the GSI Teaching & Resource Center, is presented as a surprise in the faculty member’s classroom, with the GSIs and other departmental faculty and staff present in the fall.

CoC launches research hub with BASF, UCLA and Stanford

April 3, 2014
The College of Chemistry has launched a new collaborative research center, the California Research Alliance by BASF (CARA), a multidisciplinary effort focused on innovation and technology transfer. Along with Berkeley and the chemical company BASF, CARA academic partners include UCLA and Stanford University.

College inaugurates Que Family Undergraduate Advising Center

October 14, 2014
by Michael Barnes, College of Chemistry Editor

Que Family Undergraduate Advising Center Ribbon CuttingThursday, Oct. 9, College of Chemistry Dean Douglas Clark inaugurated the Que Family Undergraduate Advising Center. Located next to the Chemistry Plaza on the ground floor of Gilman Hall, the center consists of four offices for quiet discussions between students and their advisers, an area where students can consult with peer advisers, and a well lit modern commons area where they can read, relax and hold study sessions.

Chemistry students seek crowd funding for educational board game

October 3, 2017
College of Chemistry News

React!™ boardgame developersOur students are amazing in the Chemistry and Biology departments. They become world class researchers, go on to start life-changing companies and so much more.

CBE opens innovation incubator for student projects

March 18, 2015
by Michael Barnes, College of Chemistry Editor
CBE Chair Jeff Reimer shows advisory board members around the new innovation incubator.The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering’s innovation incubator lab is open for business. The lab has been created to give student-led projects a formal home in the department.

John Arnold appointed Undergraduate Dean

June 19, 2017
College of Chemistry News

John Arnold

The College of Chemistry welcomes chemistry professor John Arnold as the new Undergraduate Dean. His appointment begins July 1, 2017.

How DayGlo went from utility pigment to design world-darling

August 30, 2018
by Liz Stinson | AIGA Eye on Design


Switzer brothers demonstrate DayGlo colorsToday DayGlo pigments color everything from traffic cones to tennis shoes, but back in the 1930s it was barely used at all. Though Joe and Bob Switzer can lay claim to commercializing fluorescent pigments, they were far from the first people to discover the phenomenon. By the time Joe and Bob created their homemade paint, scientists had already spent years in the laboratory exploring the chemical makeup of glowing substances.