Our work is supported by the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences, Department of Energy Chemical and Materials Science to Advance Clean Energy Technologies and Low-Carbon Manufacturing, and the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund. 

If you are interested in learning more about these projects, please contact Professor Forbes (tori-forbes@uiowa.edu).

Current Research Projects

nanoconfined water molecule

Novel materials for water storage and separation

We have developed a metal organic nanotube that is selective to water and has the potential to advance water purification and treatment technologies. Current efforts in this project include understanding the structural features of the material that control selectivity and understanding the basics of nanoconfined water molecules.

actinide

Investigating reactivity of the actinyl cation

238U and 237Np are both important elements in the nuclear fuel cycle and can form nearly linear dioxo actinyl cationsin the penta- and hexavalent oxidation states. In the case UO22+, the oxo groups are essentially passivated, but much less is known about NpO2+. This project explores the subtle changes in reactivity of the oxo group for uranyl and neptunyl cations.

carbon capture

Direct air carbon capture with uranyl superoxide catalyst

Collaboration with Dr. Sara E. Mason, BNL, Funded by DOE

U(VI) can stabilize the superoxide radical and selectively convert carbon dioxide into carbonate through a direct air capture process. This project aims to explore the addition of the U(VI) superoxide to the strong base process to improve direct carbon dioxide sequestration from the air.