Chemistry is often called the central science because it connects the physical sciences with the life sciences and applied sciences, such as medicine and engineering. For this reason, chemistry is at the heart of solving a broad range of critical scientific problems in fields like energy, catalysis, drug design, and materials development and production.

Energy and Catalysis

With limited natural resources and a growing global population, new materials that lower our energy consumption, reduce the environmental footprint of energy production, and decrease energy costs are increasingly critical to balance the growing demand for consumer goods and fuels with a sustainable earth.

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Biomolecular Structure and Function

Our faculty are engaged in cutting edge research that spans the areas of biochemistry, biophysics, synthetic organic chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, biomedical engineering, peptide and protein chemistry, molecular, cellular and structural biology, cell signaling, neuroscience, bioinorganic chemistry, and oncology with a focus on improving human health and acquiring new insights into the structure and function of biomolecules.  Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and experimental tech

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Molecular Assembly, Materials and Nanoscience

The assembly of molecular building blocks to form nanostructures and extended solids that can function as materials with useful properties is an important theme in the Department of Chemistry.

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Chemical Synthesis

Chemical synthesis involves the design and production of molecules, polymers, and extended solids with new structure and function. Chemical synthesis enables access to new drugs for the treatments for disease, leads to new catalysts that enables new reactions, and produces new extended solids with novel structural motives and improved physical properties.

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Analysis and Spectroscopy

The analysis and spectroscopy expertise within the Department of Chemistry is being leveraged to gain specialized insight into the nature of a host of chemical systems. Our faculty utilize NMR, optical microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and biosensing to provide critical insight into the interactions of  molecules with each other and their surroundings.

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Additional Research Resources

Traditional Divisions

The five major branches of chemistry are organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry. These divide into many sub-branches and can be combined to solve modern chemical problems.

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Facilities and Instrumentation

Among the superb research resources of the Chemistry Department are our shared facilities and instruments. The following facilities and services are available to the Lehigh community, surrounding Colleges and other external users at a set rate.

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