College of Chemistry

Paving the way for more efficient hydrogen cars

December 7, 2018
ACS Press Release

New hydrogen-powered vehicle research

Hydrogen-powered vehicles emit only water vapor from their tailpipes, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil-fuel-based transportation. But for hydrogen cars to become mainstream, scientists need to develop more efficient hydrogen-storage systems. Now, a group of scientists reporting in ACS' Chemistry of Materials have used metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to set a new record for hydrogen storage capacity under normal operating conditions.

Professor Alexis T. Bell is the recipient of the 2018 NACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Catalysis

December 7, 2018
North American Catalyst Society Press Release

Alexis T. Bell

Professor Alexis T. Bell is the recipient of the 2018 NACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Catalysis sponsored and administered by The North American Catalysis Society. It is awarded biennially in even-numbered years. Bell will be honored at the closing banquet ceremonies at the 2019 North American Meeting of the Catalysis Society.

In Conversation with Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold

December 5, 2018
by Kourosh Ziabari and Frances Arnold | Fair Observer

Francis Arnold

In 2018, the Nobel Prize for chemistry went to one British and two American scientists. Professor Frances Arnold is an American chemical engineer who was awarded for her pioneering work on the “directed evolution of enzymes.” In this edition of "The Interview", Fair Observer talks to Arnold about her scholarly work, her path to success and her life after being awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Alumnus John Adams re-elected chair of the American Chemical Society'€™s board of directors

December 4, 2018
American Chemical Society Press Release

John Adams

Alumnus John E. Adams, (Ph.D. Chem, '79) has been re-elected chair of the board of directors of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world’s largest scientific society. Adams will begin his second one-year term on Jan. 1, 2019.

Molecular decoration determines origin of MOF acidity

November 29, 2018
James Urquhart | Chemistry World

MOF-808-SO4

Researchers have pinpointed the strong acid site of a sulfated-zirconium MOF catalyst by identifying a specific molecular decoration within its structure. The work could aid studies into solid acid-catalysed reaction mechanisms as well as the development of next-generation solid acid catalysts for many industrial applications. (image: MOF 808 and MOF 808-SO4

Hey, it's not all chemistry exams at the College

November 26, 2018
by Marge d'Wylde | College of Chemistry

Fall Festival fun for undergraduate students

Fall was in the air on Friday night when AICHe, AXS , ACS Berkeley, and the College of Chemistry pulled out all the stops for this year's Fall Festival. About 375 undergraduate students attended the event which turned into a great evening for some fun and friendly rivalries. Everything from a (pumpkin) pie eating contest to "pin the atom on the molecule" were available.

In Memoriam: Professor Jack Kirsch

November 21, 2018
Molecular & Cell Biology Department

Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology Jack Kirsch

It is with great sadness we report the passing of Jack Kirsch, who served as a Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology and Chemistry from 1964 to 2006 and as a Professor of the Graduate School in retirement. Jack was an esteemed scientist and a pillar of the campus community who will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him.

Scientists revise understanding of the limits of bonding for very electron-rich heavy elements

November 15, 2018
The DOE Science News Source | News Wise

Berkelium and Californium

New research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has been published in "Chemistry: a Europena Journal" about two elements discovered at Berkeley: Berkelium and Californium. Researchers show that berkelium and californium, two elements in the actinide series (elements 89 to 103), have a surprisingly stable +5 oxidation state.

UC Berkeley's Chemistry program ranks highly for Veterans

November 10, 2018
by Marge d'Wylde | College of Chemistry

UC Berkeley's Chemistry program ranks highly for Veterans

College Factual, a website offering advice to prospective college students and their families, has released its 2019 national and state rankings for Best Chemistry Programs for Veterans. UC Berkeley’s Chemistry program was ranked #12 out of 435 for veteran friendliness of all colleges and universities reviewed by College Factual. This puts UC Berkeley in the top 5% of all schools in the nation when it comes to offering a quality education to veterans studying Chemistry.

Richard Saykally to present BESE Distinguished Lecture at KAUST

November 16, 2018

Richard SaykallyRichard Saykally, Class of 1932 Endowed Professor of Chemistry at UC Berkeley, will present the BESE Distinguished Lecture on Probing Complex Interfaces at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology on November 19th.

Lecture...