Gilroy Group Research
Research in the Gilroy group focuses on the design and synthesis of organic, inorganic, and polymeric materials with interesting charge
transport, redox, and absorption/emission (dye) properties. We aim to enable new applications by breaking down barriers associated
with the perceived barriers of chemical synthesis and wish to exploit the properties and self-organization behavior of the materials
we synthesize in a variety of applications including those based on nano-, bio-, and alternative energy technologies. Members of the
Gilroy group will work in a highly multidisciplinary environment. The ability to synthesize (and characterize) a wide range
of molecular and macromolecular materials, including air- and moisture-sensitive examples, will be complemented by exposure to high-tech
materials characterization techniques and applications. Examples of such methodologies include: electrochemistry, electron and
atomic force microscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), absorption/emission spectroscopy, X-ray scattering and crystallography techniques,
and DFT calculations. For more details concerning ongoing projects, please see below or contact Dr. Gilroy.
2) The exploratory coordination chemistry (main group and transition metal) of heteroatom-rich ligands, including formazanates. This
project is focused on the synthesis of structurally diverse ligands and complexes with tunable electronic, optical, and redox
properties and the incorporation of the resulting coordination complexes into novel functional polymer architectures.
1) Development of novel dyes that absorb and emit in the far red and near IR regions for use in biomedical diagnostics and theraputics.
We have specifically developed disease-targeting fluorescence cell imaging agents and others have leveraged our discoveries for brain
imaging and cancer theranostics.
Current Projects
3) Investigations of the effects of extended pi-conjugation on the properties of boron difluoride formazanate
dyes. Using our synthetic expertise we generate new molecular materials that push the traditional boundaries of this field
and evaluate their properties and use as the functional components of organic electronics.
Collaborative Research
The Gilroy group thrives in interdisciplinary research environments and is actively engaged in several collaborative projects
ranging from the development of coatings for the protection of metal-based infrastructure to the development of novel approaches for
next-generation intrauterine devices (IUDs). Please contact Dr. Gilroy if you are interested in establishing a new collaboration.