Theoretical chemistry fundamentally probes the structure and dynamics of matter on length scales ranging from the atomic to the macroscopic world of everyday experience. The intellectual breadth of this field is reflected in the diversity and interdisciplinary research efforts, which have lead to important and fruitful collaborations with researchers in a number of related scientific and engineering fields including biology, physics, and material science/engineering, the UCLA medical school, as well as the emerging field of nanotechnology.
Professor Gelbart is fascinated by the structural and mechanical properties of viruses. Understanding the complex structure and self-assembly of these nanoscale devices in detail provides a problem that is simultaneously at the forefront of statistical mechanics and the life sciences. Professor Houk addresses problems in organic and bio-organic chemistry using theoretical and computational methods. Research projects include the understanding and design of stereoselective organic reactions and catalysts, new enzymes and pericyclic reaction mechanisms, rates and synthetic applications. Professor Raphy Levine pursues research into electronic transport in two-dimensional quantum dot arrays systems that both hold promise for new electronic devices at the nanoscale and allow researchers to probe fundamental questions regarding electron transport in ordered and disordered lattices. He also investigates chemical reaction dynamics in extreme conditions, such as the hypersonic impact of molecular clusters on solid surfaces. Professor Alex Levine studies the mechanical properties of biomaterials using polymer physics and statistical mechanics and the hydrodynamics of two-dimensional fluids like lipid bilayers or a surfactant-coated (soapy) air/water interface. Professor Neuhauser is interested in a more complete theoretical understanding of chemistry on the single molecule scale and in the development of a new field of molecular electronics in which currents are manipulated in single-molecule devices. His group also investigates networks of molecular devices and the more abstract notion of genetic network of genes and their regulatory proteins. Professor Schwartz explores the dynamics of charge transport in conducting polymers focusing on the intermolecular transport of charge that occurs in conducting polymer thin films, and chemical reactivity in complex molecular environments. For example, how does the presence of the solvent molecules affect the reactivity of a solute in solution? The complex environment of the reactants must affect the charge distribution and the breaking and forming of bonds between the reactants. In order to investigate chemistry in this ubiquitous but highly complex environment, Professor Schwartz uses sophisticated computational tools to investigate both electronic and nuclear dynamics in such reactions.
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