Our group’s activities range broadly.  We are interested in new concepts and methods that can impact technology and make positive contributions to society.  Enduring themes include the development of functional materials, sensors, reaction chemistry for the construction of conjugated systems, electronics, and the materials biology interface.  We strive to create fundamental science and concepts with impact.  This implies applications and it is important to note that fundamental and applied science are not in conflict.  In fact, fundamental advances are what generally enable new thinking that can give rise to disruptive technologies.  Making materials lase was once fundamental and now lasers are used everywhere!  Our group takes a very active role in transitioning technology to the real world and multiple companies have grown from our group’s technologies, including ICx Technologies (acquired by FLIR Systems), Iptyx (acquired by ICx Technologies), DyNuPol, C2 Sense, and Xibus Systems.  

Students in the group are given a broad exposure to both academic and entrepreneurial thinking to ensure that they are best prepared for an optimal career. Group alumni have taken many paths beyond the traditional academic and industrial careers including government laboratories, science policy, founding of startups, patent law, and management consulting.  Our group is committed to diversity in every form and embraces the concept that we will all be enriched by interactions with others who have different experiences, interests, and preferences.

The links on this page introduce a few of the active project areas within the research group.  This mix is constantly changing with opportunities and unexpected results.  Ideally, every researcher steers the group in a slightly different direction or opens up a new area of interest.

ICx Fido Paxpoint Explosives Detector in Operation in Washington National Airport.  Fido explosives detectors (now owned by FLIR Systems) utilize fluorescent material and methods from the Swager group.