UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Thomas Edison’s failed rechargeable battery may get a second life The famed inventor's nickel-iron idea isn't suited for EVs, but it could help solar farms and data centers.

From @popsci.com: Maher El-Kady & Ric Kaner (@cnsiatucla.bsky.social) explain how their nickel–iron design could find new life powering solar farms & data centers—showing how Edison's once-overlooked invention may help strengthen today’s energy infrastructure ⚡️
www.popsci.com/technology/e...

On the International Day of Women in Science, we celebrate our female faculty and instructors. All amazing scientists and educators! #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM

February 10, 2026 | How UCLA scientists helped reimagine a forgotten battery design from Thomas Edison - California NanoSystems Institute FEATURED NEWS California NanoSystems Institute > News > Member News > February 10, 2026 | How UCLA scientists helped reimagine a forgotten battery design from Thomas Edison How UCLA scientists helped ...

UCLA researchers have revisited Edison’s nickel-iron battery using modern nanomaterials engineering ⚡️ Co-led by @cnsiatucla.bsky.social member Ric Kaner (@uclaengineering.bsky.social), the work highlights a fast-charging, long-life approach for renewable energy storage:
cnsi.ucla.edu/february-10-...

Many thanks to alum Mabel Song, BS ’24, now a medical student at @ucirvine.bsky.social Medical School, for returning to UCLA to speak to our Careers in Chemistry & Biochemistry class! With course instructors Profs. Rob Clubb (her former undergraduate research advisor), Sarah Tolbert & Carla Koehler.

Ni-SACs are great at reactive carbon capture, too! For more on details of the electrochemical interface that drive selectivity, check out our new theory+experiment paper in @jacs.acspublications.org
👉 doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c11791

#compchem #chemsky #compchemsky

@uclacb.bsky.social

Flame-Synthesized Zinc Oxide Tetrapods for Photoprotection in Sunscreen Formulations ZnO nanoparticles are widely used in sunscreen formulations due to their strong light absorption in the ultraviolet (UV) and ease of synthesis. Here, we explore flame-synthesized tetrapod-shaped zinc ...

We developed a mineral (ZnO) #sunscreen that reduces white cast, described in bit.ly/ZnOTet25 ACS Materials Letters @pubs.acs.org & bit.ly/ZnOtetUCLA by @uclahealth.org & bit.ly/WH26sun by Women's Health Magazine.
Led by AJ Addae, collaborating with Profs. Justin Caram & Yogendra Kumar Mishra

For a quick summary @uclacb.bsky.social al for the nice writeup of our paper www.chemistry.ucla.edu/news/innovat...

Many thanks to Dr. Rosemarie Pilpa (Ph.D. '08, Clubb lab), currently a Patent Manager at Johnson and Johnson, for returning to UCLA to speak to our Careers in Chemistry & Biochemistry class! Pictured with former PhD advisor Prof. Rob Clubb and Prof. Sarah Tolbert.

February 3, 2026 | Mineral sunscreen that reduces white cast developed by UCLA researchers - California NanoSystems Institute UCLA researchers have developed a mineral sunscreen formulation that significantly reduces the white, chalky cast that keeps many people from wearing sun protection daily. For decades, dermatologists ...

UCLA researchers (@pswnano.bsky.social @cnsiatucla.bsky.social @uclacb.bsky.social) developed a mineral sunscreen that reduces the white cast of zinc oxide by reshaping it into microscopic tetrapods—maintaining strong UV protection + better matching natural skin tones ☀️
cnsi.ucla.edu/february-3-2...

💫 We invite you to read and reflect on our February Chair’s Message, spotlighting the accomplishments and continued engagement of our distinguished alumni, along with the latest department updates.

Read More ➨ bit.ly/4cacnVU

#pathology #path2path #PathSky #almuni

Our new “Chemistry and Biochemistry 1” course is helping first-year students build skills, find community, and get a strong start at UCLA. The inaugural class launched in fall 2025, with the next offering coming in fall 2026. Learn more here: bit.ly/4rjNM5e

The Dreyfus Foundation-supported Chemistry Shorts series shows the vital role the chemical sciences play in the biggest issues facing the world. Watch the films by visiting https://chemistryshorts.org/

Thanks to everyone @uclapathology.bsky.social who made Monday’s Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Information Seminar possible for our Careers in Chemistry & Biochemistry class! It was great to learn more CLS careers, and we appreciate the panelists sharing their insights & experiences.

Applications are now open for UCLA’s Master of Applied Chemical Science Program (MACS)!

For more information and to apply, please visit macsucla.com

Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
For questions, please email macs@chem.ucla.edu.
Follow us on 𝕏 @Ucla_MACS

🥳 Congratulations, Prof. Justin Caram! www.chemistry.ucla.edu/news/justin-...

Many thanks to Dr. Deepa Dabir, Prof. of Biology
@ Loyola Marymount, for returning to UCLA to speak to our Careers in Chemistry & Biochem. class. Pictured with former postdoctoral advisor Prof. Carla Koehler and Koehler group undergrad researchers Ananya Pradhan & Jonathan Shirley.

Thank you for visiting UCLA, Prof. Annabi!

🥳Congrats to @garglab.bsky.social, Houk lab, & @yitangucla.bsky.social, recipients of a $2M state grant from the CA Dept of Cannabis Control to advance cannabinoid therapeutics through interdisciplinary research in synthesis, computation, and pharmacology! www.chemistry.ucla.edu/news/garg-ho...

Solvent Effects on Triplet Yields in BODIPY-Based Photosensitizers We employ molecular dynamics simulations and quantum rate theories to elucidate the complex condensed-phase dynamics underpinning triplet-state formation in organic photosensitizers. Using models info...

New preprint up! In this work, Leo has looked into solvent effects on triplet sensitiser efficiency in BODIPY-based systems. These systems use electron transfer to increase triplet yields, so their efficiency is tuneable through solvent effects. arxiv.org/abs/2601.04063 #compchemsky

December 10, 2025 | Richard Kaner gives 2025 Basolo Lecture at Northwestern University - California NanoSystems Institute Professor Richard Kaner, the UCLA Dr. Myung Ki Hong Endowed Chair in Materials Innovation, delivered his 2025 ACS Basolo Award lecture on Nov. 7 at Northwestern University’s Technological Institute in...

UCLA distinguished prof. Richard Kaner (@uclacb.bsky.social @cnsiatucla.bsky.social) was recently honored as the 2025 @acs.org Basolo Medalist, delivering his award lecture in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to inorganic chemistry 🧪

cnsi.ucla.edu/december-10-...

Yellow mysterious swirl pattern etched on a metal surface. Credit: Yilin Wong

Weird and wonderful science: How elephant poop leads to guitars and 12 other unusual UCLA research findings from 2025: ucla.in/4p8tXfY 🧪

Exploring Your Universe 2025 at UCLA was a huge success! The Chemistry & Biochemistry community hosted hands-on booths, family-friendly talks, and exciting demos for thousands of visitors. Check out event photos + a new EYU video here! www.chemistry.ucla.edu/news/2025-exploring-your-universe/

What if chemistry’s most intimidating subject were as easy as learning to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?” In "Changing Key and Chemistry," a ten-minute... Organic chemistry is as simple as piano keys | Changing Key and Chemistry

Even hundred-year-old chemistry rules can be broken!

Learn about the work Neil Garg (UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry) has been doing on anti-Bredt olefins in the newest Dreyfus Foundation-supported Chemistry Shorts film!

https://youtu.be/XhxaNUF6lWk

Prof. Richard Kaner delivered his 2025 ACS Basolo Award lecture at @nuchemistry.bsky.social on Nov. 7. Honored for pioneering contributions to inorganic chemistry, he received the medal from UCLA alum Prof. Omar Farha.
www.chemistry.ucla.edu/news/richard...

Many thanks to Houk group alum Dr. Katherine “Kat” Bay ’20, senior scientist and academic curriculum designer at Schrödinger, for visiting UCLA to give an inspiring talk to our Careers in Chemistry & Biochemistry class!

🥳Congrats to Dr. Hyuk-Joon Jung (Diaconescu Group) on receiving the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Postdoctoral Research! One of only eight awardees, he’s advancing organometallic catalysis and sustainable polymer design.

www.chemistry.ucla.edu/news/2025-uc...

Watch: UCLA’s Neil Garg on how organic chemistry is like the piano A new video helps explain why a dreaded college class is a wildly popular crowd favorite at UCLA.

Check out this great writeup from UCLA on the newest film in the Dreyfus-funded Chemistry Shorts series, "Changing Key and Chemistry" with Neil Garg: https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/neil-garg-how-organic-chemistry-piano-keys-are-similar

What if chemistry’s most intimidating subject were as easy as learning to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?” In "Changing Key and Chemistry," a ten-minute... Organic chemistry is as simple as piano keys | Changing Key and Chemistry

Did you know a chemical found in yew trees was turned into the cancer-fighting drug taxol? 🌲💊

Learn more by watching the latest Dreyfus Foundation-funded Chemistry Shorts film: https://youtu.be/XhxaNUF6lWk

UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry faculty & alumni are among the top 25 “Bruinventors” of the 21st century, behind innovations such as cortisol-sensing smartwatches, life-saving cancer drugs, hair loss treatments, & sustainable, cell-free enzyme technology! www.chemistry.ucla.edu/news/chemist...

🥳 Congratulations to the 2025–26 Fowler Fellows! Ph.D. students Jonathan Jih (Zhou lab), Nikki Cheung (Clubb lab), Eileen Olivares (@joelooucla.bsky.social lab) and Lily Taylor (Rodriguez lab)! www.chemistry.ucla.edu/news/2025-20...