The Smith Group of analytical and bioanalytical chemists develops imaging instrumentation and methods, and they apply these techniques to study biomass, separation systems, polymer films, and the cell membrane. The team uses imaging techniques including fluorescence and Raman scattering.

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The Smith Group’s research efforts in the laboratory have two main objectives: the development of methods to study cell membrane organization and dynamics, and measuring nanoscale structure in biomass, separation systems, and polymer films, which has applications in developing improved biofuels, separations, and energy storage and capture devices. The former is funded by the National Science Foundation; the latter is funded by the Department of Energy through Ames Laboratory.