Richard G. Blair’s Research Group Homepage

Catalysis for Aviation and Sustainability | Forensic Science | Inorganic Materials

Our Interests

1. Characterization, processing, and implementation of sustainable aviation fuel

2. Boron-based heterogeneous catalysts with high activity due to the presence of defects.

    1. CO2 reduction, photocatalytic hydrogen production, dehydroaromatization, and reverse Haber-Bosch
    2. Measuring and improving reaction kinetics through catalyst preparation and immobilization.

3. Photcatalytic hydrogen generation and printing of microcarbon structures

4. Characterization of cluster complexes of d10 metals and controlled substances
5. Alternative synthetic methods using ball mills in place of heating (mechanochemistry)

Photocatalytic Carbon Patterning

Close-up of a microscope objective lens focused on a sample slide, illuminated with orange light, showing metal components and engraved text.              Round metallic chamber with several bolts and a glass window, showing a blue-violet plasma or glow inside, intersected by dark cross-shaped lines.

Mechanically induced self propagating syntheses

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Large-scale syntheses

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Research

Our research focuses on new catalysts for improved aviation sustainability by enabling alternative fuels and the utilization of waste gases such as methane and CO2.

The characterization of fluorescent d10 cluster complexes that enable the rapid identification of pharmacologically active substances  

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• We are investigating the kinetics and mechanisms of mechanochemical syntheses

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