Physical chemistry research at ASU addresses contemporary and challenging problems in both applied and fundamental areas in chemistry, biochemistry and materials chemistry.  These areas include high resolution molecular beam spectroscopy, nanoscale dynamics of supercooled liquids and glasses, phase transformations, condensed state molecular and ion dynamics, exotic solid-state materials, and theoretical computational chemistry. An extensive selection of graduate level courses in physical chemistry is available within the department. In their graduate research, students often apply both experimental and theoretical approaches to problem solving, using state-of-the-art equipment and computational techniques.

Students' research projects range from the purely theoretical investigation of condensed phase properties to applications in battery and alternate electrical power systems. The physical chemistry laboratories equipment includes extensive apparatus for high resolution laser spectroscopy, high-pressure investigations of materials, dielectric measurements, and NMR. Computational facilities equipped with a complete range of software for molecular and condensed phase modelling are also available to

C. Austen Angell
Regents' Professor
Liquid structure, transport properties, supercooled liquids, glass transitions, electrolytes and polymers for battery applications

Andrew Chizmeshya
Associate Professor
Computational Solid State Chemistry, Semiconductor Simulation, Vibrational and Optical Properties of Solids, Physisorption, Carbon Sequestration

Marcia Levitus
Assistant Professor
Biophysical chemistry, photophysics, single-molecule fluorescence, DNA-protein dynamics.

Yan Liu
Assistant Professor
Nanoparticles synthesis and functionalization DNA directed self-assembly Multi-component complex structure.

Arjan Van der Vaart
Assistant Professor
Computational chemistry, molecular dynamics, protein folding, DNA binding proteins, bacteriological toxins