Biography
I studied Chemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I first became interested in Physical Chemistry working with Dr. Craig Eckhardt to measure the specular reflectance spectra from a pair of single crystals of related bi-molecular organometallic complexes. I went on to the University of Chicago for graduate studies in Physical Chemistry with R. Stephen Berry. In his group I worked on high-vacuum systems in the measurement of atomic collision processes including Penning Detachment and electron super-elastic scattering from excited atoms. I started at UNK in 1997 teaching a variety of classes and conducting research. My early work focused on laser-applications in the teaching laboratories. Dr. Chris Exstrom and I have been research collaborators since around 2002 and our research has focused on nano-materials and their applications primarily as absorbers in solar photovoltaics but also in sensors and other materials. Our most recent work has focused on modifications of femtosecond laser surface-processed (FLSP) materials using aerogels and xerogel to enhance their surface characteristics such as superhydrophobicity (water hating) or superhydrophilicity (water loving). I also recently completed an NSRI (Nebraska Strategic Research Institute) funded project developing improved PVA/Borax gel-based decontamination sprays for the elimination of nerve agents such as VX and sulfur mustard nerve agents.
Education
Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of Chicago, 1998
B.S., Chemistry, University of Nebraska Lincoln, 1992
Appointments
Fellow, Nebraska Strategic Research Institute (NSRI), 2025-present
Director of Research Services; Director of INSpRE Core, 2021-present
Chemistry Department Chair, 2008-2009; 2011-2021
Awards
Donald Fox Endowed Chair of Chemistry 2017-2022
Pratt-Heins Foundation Faculty Award for Service 2017
The David Stevensen Faculty Senate Distinguished Service Award 2008, 2013
Outstanding Honors Faculty of the Year, UNK 2006
Recent Courses Taught
Chemistry Foundations and Careers (Chem 169)
General Chemistry and Labs (Chem 160, 160L, 161, 161L)
Mass and Energy Balance in Chemical Engineering (Chem 202)
Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics (Chem 480A), Kinetics (Chem 480B), Quantum Mechanics (Chem 481A), Spectroscopy (Chem 481B)
Advanced Chemistry Lab (Chem 490L, Chem 491L)
Recent Publications
Egbebunmi, D.; Cantillo Villalba, F.; Igusa, N.; Kaufman, G.; Sarin, S.; Gogos, G.; Darveau, S. A.; Exstrom, C.; Zuhlke, C.; Shield, J. Enhancing Wettability of Femtosecond Laser Surface Processed Al-2219 Alloy via Xerogels Embedment and Drying Methods. In Preparation – May 2025 submission
De Leon, E. L.; Anderson, H. A.; Maruyama, D.; Darveau, S. A.; Van Buren, D.; Morton, M. D.; Cheung, C. L. Accelerated Oxidation of Mustard Gas Analog with PVA-based Hydrogel. Submitted 13 Dec 2024, Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Exstrom, C.; Darveau, S. A.; Falconer, M. E.; Blum, J. R.; Colling, W. M.; Ianno, N. J. Non-vacuum Preparation of WSe2 Thin Films via the Selenization of Hydrated Tungsten Oxide Prepared Using Chemical Solution Methods. MRS Advances, 2018, 3 (56), 3281–3286. https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2018.451
Exstrom, C.; Darveau, S. A.; Edgar, J. S.; Curry, C. J.; Hanrahan, M. P.; Ma, Q.; Hilfiker, M.; Ediger, A.; Ianno, N. J. A Low-Temperature Fabrication Method for WSe2 Films Grown from Nanocrystalline Precursors. MRS Advances, 2016, 6. https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2016.437.
Patnent Applications
Van Buren, D., Cheung, C. L., De Leon, E., Morton, M. D., Darveau, S. A. "Hydrogel Decontamination Solution Against Toxic Chemical Contaminants." (Submitted: July 30, 2024, Application: October 10, 2024).
Recent Presentations
Darveau, S. A. (Author & Presenter), Maruyama, D. (Author), De Leon, E. (Author), Van Buren, D. (Author), Morton, M. (Author), Cheung, C. L. (Author), 58th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, "Using Raman Spectroscopy for the Optimization of PVA/Borax Hydrogels for Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents," American Chemical Society, Omaha, NE. (October 15, 2024).
De Leon, E. (Author & Presenter), Anderson, H. (Author), Maruyama, D. (Author), Darveau, S. A. (Author), Van Buren, D. (Author), Morton, M. (Author), Cheung, C. L. (Author), 58th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, "Enhanced oxidation of a mustard gas simulant via hydrogels," American Chemical Society, Omaha, NE. (October 14, 2024).
Igusa, N. (Author & Presenter), Villalba, F. C. (Author & Presenter), Darveau, S. A., Exstrom, C. (Author), 58th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, "Hydrophobicity of fluorinated silica xerogels prepared from a room-temperature two-step catalyzed sol-gel process," American Chemical Society, Omaha, NE. (October 14, 2024).
Villalba, F. C. (Author & Presenter), Igusa, N. (Author & Presenter), Darveau, S. A., Exstrom, C. (Author), Kaufman, G. (Author), Egbebunmi, D. (Author), Shield, J. (Author), Gogos, G. (Author), Zuhlke, C. A. (Author), 58th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, "The embedding of fluorinated xerogels into femtosecond laser processed Al-2219 metal: Surface penetration and impact on physical properties," American Chemical Society, Omaha, NE. (October 13, 2024).
Law, A. (Author & Presenter), Cantillo-Villalba, F. (Author), Igusa, N. (Author), Darveau, S. A. (Author), Exstrom, C. (Author), Kaufman, G. (Author), Egbebunmi, D. (Author), Shield, J. (Author), Gogos, G. (Author), Zuhlke, C. A. (Author), 57th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, "Tuning of Visible Silica Alcogel Gelation Time using a Two-step Catalysis in the Preparation of a Silica Sol for Embedding into Femtosecond Laser Processed Surfaces," American Chemical Society, St. Charles, MO. (October 20, 2023).
Cantillo-Villalba, F. (Author & Presenter), Igusa, N. (Author & Presenter), Law, A. (Author), Darveau, S. A. (Author), Exstrom, C. (Author), 57th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, "Two-step Catalyzed Sol-gel Preparation of Hydrophobic Silica Xerogels Containing Perfluorinated Alkyl Groups: Effects of Base Catalyst Addition Timing on Product Formation," American Chemical Society, St. Charles, MO. (October 20, 2023).
Exstrom, C., Darveau, S. A., 54th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, "Preferential solvation thermodynamics explored through UV-vis spectrophotometry of Mo(phenanthroline)(CO)4 in mixed solvents as part of a new integrated upper-level undergraduate chemistry laboratory course," American Chemical Society, Wichita, KS. (October 17, 2019).
Darveau, S. A., Exstrom, C., 54th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, "Using complete identification of an inorganic complex as a unifying theme in a multi-technique instrumental boot-camp as part of a new integrated advanced undergraduate chemistry laboratory course," American Chemical Society, Wichita, KS. (October 17, 2019).
Recent Funded Research Grants (UNK portions shown)
Exstrom, C. (Principal), Darveau, S. A. (Co-Principal), "Femtosecond Laser Functionalized Surfaces for Cryogenic Fluid Management," Sponsored by NASA Nebraska Space Grant Program (NASA-EPSCoR), Federal, $63,054.00. (August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2025).
Darveau, S. A. (Co-Principal), "Chemical Decontamination Hydrogel," Sponsored by Nebraska Research Initiative, State, $75,000.00. (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024).
Exstrom, C. (Principal), Darveau, S. A. (Co-Principal), "Next Generation of Thermal Management Control in High Power Laser Diodes and Associated Weapon Systems Using Femtosecond Laser Processed Surfaces in Microchannel Coolers; Diamond Thermal Plates/ Inclusions," Sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Office of Naval Research), Federal, $255,666.00. (March 2017 - February 2020).
Exstrom, C., Darveau, S. A., "Development of Next-generation Photovoltaic Solar Cells based on Tungsten Selenide," Sponsored by University of Nebraska Foundation, Private, $175,000.00. (July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2018).
New breakthroughs
New breakthroughs
