HMC Expert: Hal Van Ryswyk
Hal Van Ryswyk, PhD, John Stauffer Chair of Chemistry, researches thin film photovoltaics, devices that convert sunlight to electricity. Examples include dye-sensitized solar cells utilizing nanostructured zinc oxide and bulk heterojunction cells constructed by printing or spraying inks made of lead sulfide quantum dots. The goal is to create low-cost photovoltaics that can be produced easily for large-area applications.
Van Ryswyk also researches lead levels in soil from vehicle emissions. Lead in soil from vehicle emissions is a leading cause of childhood lead poisoning in Southern California. Van Ryswyk co-developed a service-learning module for the general chemistry course at HMC wherein first-year students work with local fifth- and sixth-grade students to determine lead levels in soil throughout the community.
Media Appearances
- hmc.edu, 6/14/19 Leading the Way
- hmc.edu, 8/18/14 Chemistry Professor Published in Journal of Chemical Education