News
July 2020 - NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANT WITH UVA IS AWARDED
The National Science Foundation has funded a grant jointly between the University of Virginia and the University of Kentucky titled "PFI-RP: Developing a New Large-Scale Battery Technology". The NSF Partnerships for Innovation program seeks to increase the impact of their NSF-funded research discoveries by developing their technology into a prototype or proof-of-concept.
July 2020 - THE ODOM GROUP IS HIRING
Here is a description of our newest opening. To apply, send your resume and CV to Susan Odom at susan.odom[at]uky.edu.
Postdoctoral Position in Analytical and Electroanalytical Chemistry
The Odom group at the University of Kentucky is seeking a postdoctoral scholar in the field of analytical and electroanalytical chemistry. The scope of work will be in the field of redox flow batteries and will include assembling and cycling flow cells as well as pre-screening and post-cycling analysis. Examples of analytical techniques will include stability studies using in situ generated oxidized or reduced species with monitoring by UV-vis spectroscopy and bulk electrolysis. Further screening methods include cyclic voltammetry, microelectrode voltammetry, and membrane crossover studies. While experience in every area is not required for a candidate to apply, a familiarity with electrochemical methods and handling samples with the exclusion of water and air is critical. The projects the successful candidate will explore will be a combination of Department of Energy (Joint Center for Energy Storage Research) and National Science Foundation (ENG - Energy for Sustainability) awards that are currently in place.
May 2020 - THE ODOM GROUP WELCOMES NEW POST-DOC, PAWAN SITUALA
We welcome Pawan our new postdoc. Pawan recently obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno under the supervision of Prof. Wesley A. Chalifoux. His Ph.D. project was focused on the synthesis of a library of soluble contorted Nanographenes utilizing alkyne benzannulation reactions.
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February 2020 - ZHIMING LIANG OFF TO NEW POSITION
The group celebrated postdoctoral researcher Zhiming Liang's last day at UK with a lunch at Bangkok House. Dr. Odom's cat Sophie came to join the group photo. Zhiming will start a position as a research associate at CU Boulder on March 1st.
January 2020 - RAHUL JHA WAS SELECTED FOR A SUPER TA POSITION
Graduate student Rahul Jha was selected to be a Super TA for the Organic Chemistry Laboratory Courses at the University of Kentucky. A Super TA is known as being among the best instructors, and the position requires more responsibilities and management of other teaching assistants. Great job, Rahul!
January 3, 2020 - RAHUL JHA JOINS ODOM GROUP
We welcome our newest group member, Rahul Jha, who will synthesize and characterize redox flow battery materials.
October 2019 - SUSAN ODOM RECEIVES 2020 RISING STAR AWARD!
Congratulations to Dr. Odom for being named a recipient of a 2020 ACS Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award!
January 15, 2019 - ANTON PERERA JOINS ODOM GROUP
We welcome our newest group member, Anton Perera, who will be co-advised by Profs. Odom and Risko.
August 13-14, 2018 - ODOM GROUP MEMBERS ATTEND SCOTT WHITE MEMORIAL SYMPOSIUM
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
August 8, 2018 - ODOM GROUP MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN ARGO SYMPOSIUM AT UK's CAER
Harsha Attanayake and Malsha Suduwella presented results at the Anthony/Risko/Graham/Odom (ARGO) Symposium at UK's Center for Applied Energy Research. Both students discussed their work in the development of new posolytes for non-aqueous redox flow batteries. Harsha focused on the design of phenothiazine derivatives whereas Malsha presented her work on derivatizing carbazole and triphenylamine cores.
August 1, 2018 - ODOM AND BRUSHETT (MIT) GROUPS RECEIVE NSF FUNDING TO STUDY HIGH CONCENTRATION REDOX SOLUTIONS
The Odom and Brushett groups were awarded $448K (Award Numbers 1805566 and 1805103) to address fundamental research to support the design of electrolytes for non-aqueous RFBs with high energy density, better stability, and acceptable fluid flow properties. This collaborative research project titled "Collaborative Research: Establishing Design Principles for Molecular Engineering of High Concentration Redox Electrolytes" focuses on the development of soluble and stable redox active molecules, based on substituted phenothiazines, as a platform chemistry for characterizing physical and electrochemical properties of solutions containing high concentrations of redox active materials and supporting salts in organic electrolytes - referred to as "redox electrolytes" - for use in nonaqueous flow batteries. The major scientific outcome of this research will be fundamental understanding of the role of chemical structure and surrounding electrolytes on the performance and durability of redox active organic materials at high concentrations in aprotic organic electrolytes. Further, new electrochemical methods will be developed to enable unambiguous characterization of concentrated nonaqueous redox electrolytes.
July 18, 2018 - ODOM GROUP RECEIVES NSF FUNDING TO STUDY HIGH POTENTIAL REDOX COUPLES
The Odom group received $324K (Award Number 1800482) in new funding from the National Science Foundation for a new project titled "High Potential Redox Couples: Design Strategies for Survival in Diverse Environments." In this project, funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamic & Mechanism B Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Susan Odom of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky is developing high-oxidation-potential organic compounds to serve as electro-active components of batteries with non-aqueous electrolytes, and to develop a library of shelf-stable and organic radical cation salts for use as chemical reagents. The research could have significant impacts on overcharge protection of high-voltage cathodes in lithium-ion batteries. It could also lead to more efficient preparation of active components of pharmaceutical values. This project, which bridges organic, materials, and electro-chemistry, is poised to train students in highly collaborative research. Through annual Expanding Your Horizons Conferences, middle school girls with interest in STEM fields are the focus of outreach activities.