Thomas E. Albrecht-Schmitt Director, (past)

Our group is interested in the synthesis, structure, and physico-chemical properties of new materials containing lanthanide and actinide elements (e.g. uranium and plutonium). We focus heavily on the growth of single crystals of previously unknown compounds with the goal of developing correlations between unusual structural features ascertained by X-ray diffraction and electronic properties measured by a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Using this basic framework we have developed nonlinear optical, magnetic, and ion-exchange materials.

Current projects are directed toward understanding how transuranium elements (e.g. neptunium and plutonium) interact with important ligands such as phosphonates and borates. We are in the process of both understanding the crystal chemistry of these compounds, and how they might be used as advanced waste forms for storing long-lived radionuclides. In doing so, we have uncovered unusual redox processes. Cutting-edge in situ measurement techniques are being developed in order to gain a deep understanding of these critical chemical issues. Solid-State Chemistry, Actinide Chemistry, Thermoelectric Materials, NLO Materials, Structure-Property Relationships