About the Group
An inorganic, solid-state chemistry group at the University of Waterloo, working between fundamental structure–property science and the industrial problems that depend on it.
What we do
The Localized Chemistry Lab, the research group of Rodney Smith at the University of Waterloo, studies how localized short-range structure, interfaces, and imperfections of solid materials govern their chemical behaviour. Defects, distortions, disorder, and interfaces are usually treated as complications to be minimized. We treat them as the subject.
Our work spans three connected areas: electrochemistry and energy conversion, solid-state reactivity and catalysis, and the measurement science necessary to study localized structure. In all three, the aim is to connect local variations in structure to how a material behaves.
How we do it
We work with a broad suite of instruments in our own labs, at shared facilities across campus, and at synchrotrons. For a disordered material, a single technique rarely gives enough information to build a reliable structural model. We therefore combine a range of spectroscopies, crystallography, electrochemistry, and data analysis. When the measurements still leave room for more than one interpretation, we change the synthesis in targeted ways and see which model the data support.
Much of our research is done with industry partners. The research stays fundamental, and industrial processes give us a demanding test of whether the mechanisms we propose are correct.
Recognition
The group’s work has been recognized with the Strem Award for Pure or Applied Inorganic Chemistry from the Canadian Society for Chemistry, an Ontario Research Fund Early Researcher Award, and the Faculty of Science Excellence in Science Research Award at Waterloo. Our international collaborations have been supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, an NSERC CREATE program, and multiple Mitacs Globalink projects.
Training
Every graduate trainee in the group takes part in outward-facing training experiences: synchrotron beamtimes, workshops at national labs, international research exchanges, or industry internships. Curiosity is fostered by exposure, adaptation and a breadth of experience. Scientific judgment is built by working in diverse environments to expand both skills and perspective. Collaborations and integration into external environments equip trainees to be successful.