Eastman Colloquium – 1/19/2023

Bio
Timothy M. Swager is an American Scientist and the John D. MacArthur Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research is at the interface of chemistry and materials science, with specific interests in carbon nanomaterials, polymers, and liquid crystals.

Abstract
This lecture will detail the creation of ultrasensitive sensors based on chemiresistive mechanisms with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A central concept that a single nano- or molecular-wire spanning between two electrodes would create an exceptional sensor if binding of a molecule of interest to it would block all electronic transport. Nanowire networks of CNTs provide for a practical approximation to the single nanowire scheme. These methods include abrasion deposition and selectivity is generated by covalent and/or non-covalent binding selectors/receptors to the carbon nanotubes. Sensors for a variety of materials and cross-reactive sensor arrays will be described. A current limitation to most, it not all sensors, is chemical selectivity. Synthetic receptors can give some selectivity and when they have 3D structures can be highly specific for recognition of a molecule. However, translating complex molecular constructions into strong readable sensory signals is challenging. I will give multiple examples of how established chemical reactions that occur in solution can be used to create highly specific and sensitive sensors. There is a vast opportunity in translating the products of synthetic and catalytic chemistry into selective chemiresistive sensors. I will highlight the utility of CNT-based gas sensors for the detection of alkenes and other gases relevant to agricultural and food production/storage/transportation are being specifically targeted and can be used to create systems that increase production, manage inventories, and minimize losses.

Colloquium Sponsor
Eastman Chemical Company is proud to be a long time sponsor of the Carolina Colloquia’s Annual Eastman Lecture as part of our partnership with the Department of Chemistry at UNC. Ten years ago, Eastman opened the Eastman Innovation Center – Chapel Hill to establish a research partnership with the university. Since then, they have sponsored more than 30 projects totaling over $7M. Projects have included fundamental studies, probing the structure-property relationships of Eastman materials and utilizing computational methodology to direct synthetic efforts. In addition, they have been active participants and sponsors of programs like Winspire, Accelerate to Industry and the Eastman Chemical Company Fellowship program for underrepresented graduate students. To learn more about Eastman, visit their website