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; and the design, synthesis, and characterization of new liquid crystalline organic semiconductors.
CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry 2
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019
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. Credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3471 or BCHM 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.
CHEM 6901 - Research in Chemistry
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019
May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
