Cheung Research Group

Our research focuses on three important areas of nanoscale chemistry:

The design and synthesis of novel nanomaterials by abstracting the efficient designs from nature
The study of biological macromolecules at the nanoscale using methods of nanotechnology
The development of new analytical devices via biomimetical approach with nanomaterials

Our research commitments are to advance the fundamental understanding of the self-assembly processes in nature and to exploit these processes to design and synthesize hierarchical nanostructures with novel physical and chemical properties. Our highly interdisciplinary research is supported by the excellent facilities and collaborative environment of the University of Nebraska system.

Research positions

Undergraduate research opportunities: We are looking for chemistry, engineering or physics UNL undergraduates interested in doing nanoscience experiments that require thinking “out of the box” approaches. For detailed information, please check out the UNL UCARE program.

Graduate research assistant positions: We are looking for students enthusiastic about investigating nanomaterials synthesis mechanisms using tools of nanotechnology and their applications towards catalysis. Please send inquiries to Professor Barry Chin Li Cheung, Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. E-mail: ccheung2@unl.edu

Barry Chin Li Cheung

Principal Investigator

Education
Ph.D. Harvard University

Research Interests
My research group focuses on the study of nanomaterials chemistry. We are studying the synthesis mechanisms of new materials and their physical and chemical properties with a specific context. The different types of materials we have studied include: Bio-inspired materials, defect engineered catalysts, thermal neutron converter coatings, thermal electric materials and low dimensional rare-earth nanostructures.

Anuja Bhalkikar

Graduate Student

Education
B.S. & Masters – University of Pune

Research Interests
Reusing abundant, waste chemicals to synthesize value-added products is an important topic in green chemistry. Currently, my research focuses on the design and synthesis of ceria nanocatalysts of different facets and their applications for carbon dioxide conversion reactions. I am also interested in discovering the associated reaction mechanisms and studying the kinetics of these reactions.

Chris Marin

Graduate Student

Education
B.S. Penn State University

Research Interests
My research has been focused on semiconducting materials, particularly those composed of rare earth sulfides. Much of our understanding of semiconductor properties comes from the main block elements. I have been investigating how much the behavior of lanthanide based semiconductors differ from the textbook semiconductors such as silicon or cadmium selenide. Other research interests include nanowire growth, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, and ferroelectric materials.

Tamra Fisher

Graduate Student

Education
B.S. Campbell University

Research Interests
Cerium oxide’s unique catalytic activity to redox reactions stems from its large intrinsic oxygen storage and release capacity associated with oxygen vacancy defects (OVDs). Currently, I am working to determine the defects-activity relationship of ceria catalysts for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with hydrogen peroxide. I am also interested in investigating the effect of precious metal catalyst decoration on defect induced catalysis.

James Doyle

Undergraduate Student

Education
B.S. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Research Interests
I am interested in studying chemical means to solve the global carbon management challenges. My research focuses on developing catalysts that assist the conversion of carbon dioxide to diakyl carbonates, precursors for making polycarbonates.

Bing Wang

Graduate Student

Education
M.S. Fudan University

Ben Steffensmeier

Undergraduate Student

Education
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Research Interests
My research focuses on developing chemical methods to control the shape and sizes of nanostructured materials. Currently, I am focusing on exploring the use of microwave chemistry and surfactant additives to synthesize nanostructured ceria.

Yousif Ibrahim

High School Student

Education
Lincoln Southeast High School

Research Interests
My research focuses on developing chemical methods to engineer shapes of nanoceria materials. Currently, I am studying the use of microwave chemistry, surfactant additives and etchants to synthesize porous nanostructured ceria.

Rebecca Grinnell

Undergraduate Student

Education
Georgetown College

Research Interests
I am interested in studying the effect of metal dopants on modifying the catalytic activity of inorganic oxides. My research focuses on developing transition metal doped ceria catalysts of different shapes and understanding their catalytic mechanisms for the generation of reactive oxygen species.

Avinash Both

Graduate Student

Education
M.Sc. National Institute of Science Education and Research, India

Research Interests
The physical properties of materials change when confined in small dimensions. My research focuses on studying the formation and physical properties of solids in nanoscale cavities. Currently, I am studying the formation of carbon dioxide solid (or dry ice) and gas clathrate hydrate into pseudo one-dimensional structures. My goal is to investigate the potential of using confined cavities for the storage of green house gases and fuels.

Leo Derr

Undergraduate Student

Education
Missouri Western State University

Research Interests
Ceria is an important catalytic material with numerous applications ranging from fuel cells, advanced oxidation processes, to treatments of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. Recently, our group has demonstrated a rapid method to generate ceria nanoparticles by direct ozonation of cerium(III) nitrate in ethanol. However, the exact reaction mechanism is yet completely resolved. My research focuses on controlling the acidity of the reactions and studying its effect on the reaction yield. My goal is to unravel the principles of this ozone-mediated synthetic method and generalize it for other reducible metal oxide systems.

Ema Shaker

Undergraduate Student

Education
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Research Interests
Sunscreens are important chemicals to protect our skins from the UV damage due to sun exposure. My research focuses on evaluating the efficacy of inorganic components in sunscreens using an in vitro method. I am developing new multi-component inorganic oxides which are bio-compatible and UV-resistant for broad spectrum sunscreen applications.

Miao Hong

Undergraduate Student

Education
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Layheack Ly

Undergraduate Student

Education
Salem State University

Research Interests
Icing on utility powerlines and the formation of clathrate hydrate in pipelines cause millions of dollars of losses to electric utility and natural gas pipeline companies each year. Hydrophobic hydrocarbon coatings on metal surfaces theoretically could make them less prone to ice and clathrate formation on these surfaces. My research goal is to gain a basic understanding of water condensation and icing processes on the surfaces of steel and copper with fluorinated carbon coatings. Currently, I am studying the cooperative effect of surface morphology and functionalization on the kinetics of ice growth on these metal surfaces.

Rachel Tritt

Undergraduate Student

Education
Lafayette College

Research Interests
Photocatalysis provides an effective means to use energy for speeding up reactions. My research focuses on investigating the kinetics of photocatalyzed reactions using reducible oxide nanoparticles. I compare the activities of these oxides by measuring their apparent activation energy values of the studied reactions. Currently, I am studying the use of photocatalysis to generate reactive oxygen species.