When X-rays knock out a core electron, they trigger electron motion that unfolds in attoseconds. The Lopata research group used advanced simulations to test whether the shape of the core-hole changes this motion and found it remains nearly the same across inner-shell orbitals, a discovery that expands opportunities for ultrafast X-ray experiments at the attosecond scale.
Chemistry
Explore Opportunities
LSU Chemistry is one of six departments in the College of Science and is designated as a Foundation of Excellence Department due to the outstanding accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students in terms of teaching/learning, research, and service. Our department has LSU's largest Ph.D. program and is one of the best-equipped chemistry departments in the United States.
In the News
LSU's Antibiotic Breakthrough
Bacterial biofilms make chronic infections hard to treat, protecting bacteria from antibiotics with a tough layer of proteins, sugars, and DNA. But there's good news! LSU Chemistry Professor Mario Rivera and his research team have discovered a new class of antibiotics that break through these defenses by blocking bacteria’s access to iron, a vital nutrient they need to survive.
Fighting Cancer with Innovative Chemistry
Louisiana has one of the nation's highest state cancer rates, an issue partially related to dietary choices. An LSU Chemistry team is exploring how natural substances can be used to create new treatments for obesity and other conditions that can increase cancer risk.
Recent Publications
Coastal wetlands are vital for shoreline protection, carbon storage, and storm resilience; however, studying belowground root biomass and necromass is a challenge using traditional methods. A new paper co-authored by Prof. Les Butler demonstrates how Optical Coherence Tomography and machine learning can deliver fine-scale, non-destructive insights into root morphology and decay.
The Rivera Research Group presents a novel strategy targeting bacterial iron storage with small-molecule inhibitors. Disrupting iron mobilization triggers iron starvation, leading to potent bactericidal effects and improved outcomes when combined with existing antibiotics.
Zintl phases can convert waste heat into energy, but arsenic-based compounds remain understudied. The Baranets Group reports Eu₂₁Mn₄As₁₈ and revisits Eu₂₁Zn₄As₁₈, revealing key structure–property relationships critical for next-generation thermoelectric materials.
The Pojman Research Team published a new study on using 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethanediol (TPED) as a safer, shelf-stable alternative to peroxide initiators in the frontal polymerization of acrylates. TPED produces void-free materials, offering the added benefit of commercial availability and longer shelf life.
Bismuth clusters are non-toxic, non-radioactive, and promising catalysts for fine chemicals. The Baranets research group reports the first full structure of a rare [Pd@Bi₁₀]⁴⁺ cluster, revealing new insights into its bonding and electronic behavior.
The Pojman research team developed an innovative one-pot method for creating thiol-acrylate and thiol-epoxy coatings using ammonia as a catalyst, eliminating the need for volatile organic compounds and introducing a novel curing strategy for coatings.
Building molecules with all-carbon quaternary centers is a significant challenge in organic chemistry, and it is key to drug and material innovation. A newly published review by the Rivas Group highlights recent advances in light-driven and dual catalysis strategies to meet this challenge.
Wildfires destroy landscapes and disrupt how organic carbon (OC) moves through soil and ash, impacting water quality and ecosystems. A study including the Cook group and collaborators found wildfire sites in CA & NV had up to a 574% increase in mobile OC. Though ashes held more OC, soils released more, threatening watershed health and nature’s ability to filter water, prevent floods, and support life.
The Cook research group and collaborators published a study on the environmental impact of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, OH. The team investigated the hazardous byproducts formed from the combustion of chemicals in the presence of transition-metal oxides found in train and track materials, posing long-term environmental health risks.