Professor Walba's research focuses on the design and synthesis of liquid crystals, with an emphasis on chirality and polarity in liquid crystal systems. Working in collaboration with the group of Professor Noel Clark in the Department of Physics, Walba's group has made key contributions to the development of ferroelectric liquid crystals and devices, which are now found in commercial consumer electronics products. Current research in the group includes: studies directed towards developing an understanding of the helical nanofilament phase, a novel organic nanoparticle system; Design, synthesis, and characterization of materials possessing the unique ferroelectric Smectic A Polar phase; Creating new materials designed to improve understanding of the heliconical nematic phase; the design, synthesis, and characterization of new liquid crystalline organic semiconductors, research on the Dark Conglomerate liquid crystal phases, and research on the Ferroelectric Nematic phase.
Energy Pooling Upconversion in Organic Molecular Systems.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry A: Isolated Molecules, Clusters, Radicals, and Ions; Environmental Chemistry, Geochemistry, and Astrochemistry; Theory.
4009-4016.
2015
TOPOLOGICAL STEREOCHEMISTRY.
Tetrahedron: the international journal for the rapid publication of full original research papers and critical reviews in organic chemistr.
3161-3212.
1985
CHEM 3311 - Organic Chemistry 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2021
Intended primarily for nonmajors. Topics include structure and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, and aromatic molecules; nomenclature of organic compounds; stereochemistry; reaction mechanisms and dynamics. Department enforced corequisite: CHEM 3321 or CHEM 3361. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3451.
CHEM 3321 - Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
Instruction in experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing chemical separations and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds. Stereochemical modeling and the identification of organic unknowns by spectroscopic and chemical methods are also introduced. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3311 or CHEM 3451. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3361.
CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry 2
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
Lect. and rec. Intended primarily for nonmajors. Topics include structure and reactions of alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, and amines; introduction to the chemistry of heterocycles, carbohydrates, and amino acids; nomenclature of organic compounds; synthesis; and reaction mechanisms. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3341 or CHEM 3381. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3471 or BCHM 3491.
CHEM 3341 - Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
Lab. For biochemistry and nonchemistry majors. Instruction in experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing reactions involving alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids, and their derivatives. Multistep syntheses are also introduced. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3331 or CHEM 3471 or CHEM 3491.
CHEM 3381 - Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry Majors
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
Lab. Required course for chemistry majors. Instruction in experimental techniques of modern chemistry, emphasizing reactions involving alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids, aromatic compounds, and their derivatives. Multistep syntheses are also introduced. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3331 or CHEM 3471 or CHEM 3491.
CHEM 3451 - Organic Chemistry for Chemistry and Biochemistry Majors
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
Covers bonding, acidity, reaction mechanisms, nomenclature of organic compounds; stereochemistry; structure and reactions of aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids and derivatives. Department enforced corequisite: CHEM 3361 or CHEM 3321. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3311.
CHEM 6901 - Research in Chemistry
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021
May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
