ChemE Department Seminar Series: Matthew Crane
Presentation title: Manipulating infrared photons with semiconductor nanomaterials
Abstract: Doped semiconductor nanomaterials are a promising platform to manipulate the energy and information contained in light, with applications ranging from photocatalysis to quantum information. In these materials, control over light absorption, energy relaxation, and dimensionality offers a unique platform at the intersection of light, matter, charge, and spin to understand how light modifies materials and, in turn, how materials may modify light. We focus on understanding the first steps in light absorption, charge separation, and spin dephasing in these semiconductor nanomaterials in active environments to realize emerging energy and computing technologies. In this seminar, I will present recent work on the photophysics of semiconductor plasmonic nanocrystals, focusing on how they can overcome challenges in infrared energy harvesting. I will also describe a new approach to precisely pattern colloidal nanomaterials…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Johnson Hall (JHN). Campus room: JHN 075. Accessibility Contact: dso@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
ChemE Department Seminar Series: Aditya Bhan
Presentation title: A tale of two catalysts
Abstract: We describe case studies involving oxidative and reductive catalytic transformations, one which makes CO2 and the other that consumes CO2, and their contributions to sustainability. First, we demonstrate the proficiency of Bi2O3 to selectively (>99%) combust acetylene in mixtures with ethylene. Measured rate constants for acetylene combustion are ~3000× those for ethylene in line with DFT studies suggesting heterolytic C–H activation transition states favor the activation of more acidic C–H bonds in C2H2. These heterolytic reactivity channels are also available for larger aliphatic and aromatic terminal alkynes demonstrating the utility of chemical looping combustion for purifying olefin gas streams containing trace alkyne impurities. Second, we use the general conceptual framework for analyzing rates and reversibility of catalytic reaction sequences to examine the reaction intermediates involved and the evolution in structure and function of commercial…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Johnson Hall (JHN). Campus room: JHN 075. Accessibility Contact: dso@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Veterans Day
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Autumn. Event Types: Academics.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Thanksgiving Day
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Autumn. Event Types: Academics.
Thursday, November 26, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Native American Heritage Day
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Autumn. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, November 27, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Instruction Ends - Autumn 2026
Instruction ends.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Autumn. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, December 11, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Final Examinations - Autumn 2026
Week of final examinations for autumn quarter.
Event interval: Ongoing event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Autumn. Event Types: Academics.
Saturday, December 12, 2026 – Friday, December 18, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Christmas Day
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2027. Quarter: Winter. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, December 25, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. New Year's Day
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2027. Quarter: Winter. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, January 1, 2027.
For more info visit www.washington.edu.