The Chemistry Department and the Williams research group address the physical chemistry needs of the university, the State of Texas, and the general public through:

Quality teaching of quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, thermodynamics, and kinetics drawing material from various authors. (P.W. Atkins, J. Nibler, G Herzberg, T. Engel, P. Reid, D. Harris, M. Bertolucci, F. Cotton, and R. Drago).

Rigorous data analysis using image processing, Hansen Sphere determination, process mapping, numerical modeling, non-linear optimization, multiple linear / step-wise regression, spectral deconvolution, gauge repeatability-reliability analysis, and molecular modeling (HSPiP, Minitab, ImageJ, Mathmatica, Excel, Gaussian, Hyperchem, and Discovery Studio).

Broad coverage of experimental techniques

• Hydrometry (temperature-controlled large-capacity)
• Tensiometry (temperature-controlled, interfacial, large-capacity)
• Contact Angle Analysis (Langmuir, Bikerman, and Drop Shape Analysis Methods)
• Viscometry (temperature-controlled, capillary and falling-ball)
• Chromatography (gas, liquid, and ion)
• Mass spectrometry (gas, solid desorption, and ion mobility)
• Calorimetry (bomb and solution)
• Digital microscopy (polarized visible and infrared)
• Spectroscopy (absorption-UVVIS, reflectance-UVVIS, micro-UVVIS, macro/micro-absorption-FTIR, macro/micro-reflectance-FTIR, micro-grazing-angle-reflectance-FTIR, macro/micro-attenuated-total-reflectance-FTIR, Raman, micro-Raman, laser-induced-fluorimetry, solution fluorimetry, 60Mhz NMR, and 300MHz NMR)

Innovative research

• Using short-turnaround 3-month (Jun – Aug), 6-month (Mar – Aug, Jun – Nov), 9-month (Dec – Aug, Jun – Feb), and annual research contracts and grants.
• Using a mixture of faculty, graduate students, exchange students, and undergraduate students.
• Addressing a variety of needs
  • Improvement of the sessile drop contact angle analysis methods for industrial applications (read more>)
  • Hansen solubility sphere analysis of polymeric materials, explosives, and non-electrolytes in organic solvent blends (read more>)
  • Solvent blend predictions and substitutions for environmental impact and hazard reduction (read more>)
  • Spectroscopic interpretation, assignment, and modeling using Gaussian, Hyperchem, and Discovery Studio software packages.
  • Analysis of aging machanisms of polymeric materials and binders of explosives
  • Detection of traditional, military, and home-made explosive substances
  • Determination and optimization of filled-polymer formulation process parameters
  • Safe destruction of home-made explosive substances