Scott Phillips
- Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Room 436
Research Interests
Design and synthesis of molecules with unique function; unconventional reaction methodology; analytical and bioanalytical chemistry; environmental chemistry; materials chemistry.
Chemistry for Resource-Limited Environments
We are using organic chemistry to create “autonomous diagnostics”—that is, diagnostic devices that provide all of the functions typically obtained with instruments (selectivity, sensitivity, quantitative measurements, and clearly displayed information), but using only organic reactions on a piece of paper. Our goal is to devise chemistry that forms the basis for exceedingly simple and disposable diagnostics devices. These systems will be useful in the developing world, emergency rooms, and other applications requiring portable and inexpensive devices for detecting disease or pollution.
Unconventional Reaction Methodology
As the price of crude oil continues to rise, so too will prices of bulk chemicals derived from oil. We are developing reactions that use CO2 as an inexpensive carbon source (in place of oil) for making bulk chemical building blocks.
A second program in this area focuses on reaction networks that are self-perpetuating, the simplest of which is an autocatalytic reaction (where a molecule makes more of itself). We plan to expand autocatalytic behavior into more complex reaction networks, with the goal of developing systems that provide useful function and/or byproducts.
Designing “Living” Materials
We are developing materials that respond to external signals by changing shape, function, and/or surface properties. This work can be extended to developing materials that grow, and possibly divide.
